District 2
In Memoriam

There are twelve Toastmasters clubs in Russia today. All of them descendent from a single club chartered in 1990. The very club that was the product of a chartering trip spearheaded by Ralph Pehrson, DTM, a District 2 Toastmaster since November 1st, 1965. Sadly, Ralph passed away last month, at the age of ninety, leaving an unparalleled void in our District and two of our Toastmasters Clubs.

 

In his sixty years as a Toastmaster, Ralph served the organization and our community in myriad ways. As a Past District Governor (the precursor term for the District Director role), and a Presidential Citation Award recipient, he consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Toastmasters. He was active in strengthening our clubs and started Toastmasters Extraordinaires to provide advanced opportunities in our District. He was a long-term member of Seattle International 10 Toastmasters Club.

 

Ralph was a proponent of 'mission driven speaking.' He was often heard asking speakers to consider "why this speaker, to this audience, on this subject, at this time?" He could always be counted upon to extemporaneously, or with preparation, expound on various leadership topics as well as his decades of Toastmasters experiences.

 

Ralph's impact on the people, clubs, and community of District 2 Toastmasters is incalculable. He leaves behind a legacy of just what Toastmasters can bring about in a person who strives to be a better communicator and leader.

 

On behalf of District 2, we honor Ralph with this memorial.