Ralph Miyata

• Ralph Seichi Miyata • September 22, 1930 - June 4, 2019 • (88 years old) • 
"Widower, 88, dies scattering his wife's ashes over a lake" (LaPorte, IN)
      I cannot believe this, but my parents' story has been circulated not only nationwide, but around the world. Damn media, it would of been nice if they had contacted the family, so we could of given the right facts and how endearing this story is about our parents. I googled my Dad’s name. He would be having a royal fit from all this attention. He was a very private man, but unfortunately Dad, you picked a public place to pass away including had a parade of the EMS, DNR & County Sheriff's Department.
      My parents, Margie & Ralph married June 5, 1955 in Chicago and resided in Illinois until 1965 when they moved to LaPorte, Indiana. They lived here from 1965–2012, then moved to Florida. My Mother (87yrs) passed away on Easter Day, April 21, 2019 in hospice care at a nursing home. My 88 year old Father knew what my Mother’s wishes were with her cremains. Monday, June 3rd, Dad flew from Florida to South Bend, Indiana then drove to LaPorte, Indiana. Dad was very adamant, he did not want any of us kids to be with him. This was something he wanted to do in private. (Well Dad, look how this all turned out for you)
      Mom’s final wish were for her ashes to be placed in her happy place of Pine/Stone Lake (in LaPorte) where she logged many miles of swimming, enjoyed slalom water skiing, loved the challenge of wind surfing and fished countless times with Dad and us kids. Dad had asked the assistance of Mom’s best friend, Betty Sprecher (my Mother’s cohert in crime in the trio of water sports) and her husband, Dr. Sprecher. They still live by the lakeside and own a boat.
      On Tuesday, June 4th, Dad & the Sprechers in their boat took Mom to her final resting place in the middle of the lake. Mrs. Sprecher placed a white peony on the water as Mom’s marker. They came back to dock the boat and were covering it up, when Dad literally just “dropped dead” and fell into the water. My Father died from ventricular fibrillation (v-fib ) not a heart attack.
      When I received the call from my brother-in-law, Mark Eisgruber about Dad. I was in the midst of making my flight plans to see Dad in Florida, June 12 -17 and spend a long Father’s Day week with him. From past experiences of making emergency runs to LP/MC area for both our aging parents, it was instinctive for Mike & I, just to jumped in the car and drive!
      Mrs. Sprecher took to me to the dock. I stood in the exact spot where Dad passed. I just took in all the sights, sounds & smells that surrounded Dad in his last moments here on earth – crisp air, beautiful view of the lake, calm waters, he was near a boat, on a dock and it was gorgeous blue sky day with the warmth of the sun. It was perfect! And I will forever cherish the memory of the happiness that was in my Dad’s voice when I talked to him just the night before.
      My parents story is beautiful bond of deep love and a mission of passion that my Dad accomplished for my Mom. Can’t believe, they passed within 6 weeks & 2 days of each other. Dad got to bring Mom home to Indiana, only for him to pass away in Indiana, his home of 47 years, where they raised a family of four children and he chartered his boat, the Banzai on Lake Michigan for many years. To this day, he is a legend to the fishermen. It just doesn’t get any better, except it does! The next day, June 5th just happen to be Mom and Dad’s 64th wedding anniversary, so they didn’t miss a beat in being together for their special day! You can’t even make this stuff up! It’s a Back Home Again in Indiana love story. Some times real life is better than any ending Hallmark could have scripted!

Happy Anniversary in heaven Mom & Dad! I Love You both forever and a day and will miss you dearly! Go be guardian angels and watch over us, your children, grand children and great grand children. 

Together they Lived ∞ Laughed ∞ Loved!  

Cremation has taken place.

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