I have known since just after the holidays when Ralph called and told me he was not well but I talked to Ralph on the phone about a month ago and he told me that he was very excited about going to the convention this year and having the 2nd Antique Chip Code Session. I am going to have a hard time with the thought that Ralph might not be there. This just can not be true. It just can not be true. Ralph is my mentor and I am sure he will be there in June!

The last time I saw Ralph was on Saturday at the convention last year. We had the first Code Session the night before and afterward Jim Garrard, Ralph, and I went to the bar near the Sports bet at the South Point and had several rounds of drinks and talked about the future of Antique Chip Collecting. I gave Ralph some dupe chips that he needed. That Saturday Ralph gave me this Ivory chip. He told me there were only four known examples of this chip. I remember telling him "I bet I can name the collectors that have the other three chips." He just smiled and said "I am sure you can name them too." He said, "You don't mind if it has a couple of cracks in it do you?" A near perfect FIVE was sitting right next to it. I told him, "No, It is perfect because I will always be able to tell mine from the other three!"

Thank You Ralph for everything. My Friend & Mentor.