On Air Now

City honors longtime Tree Commission member Dick Ralston for Arbor Day

Galesburg City officials celebrated Arbor Day today with the dedication of a ginkgo tree in honor of longtime Tree Commission member Dick Ralston.

Following the ceremonial planting of the tree in Standish Park, Ralston’s three children stood around the young plant. Teresa Wake, Dick’s oldest, told WGIL adding to Galesburg’s flora was the right way to honor her father.

“I guess it’s very fitting, being the naturalist and he liked everything outdoors,” Wake said.

Matt Ralston, Dick’s youngest, said his father’s kindness made him worthy of today’s recognition.

“He never asked for anything,” Matt said. “We’ll just have a little piece of him here, now.”

Middle child Bridget Lake said the family developed a love for trees by virtue of their upbringing.

“As kids, we all had our own tree,” Lake said. “I think she (Wake) had a pin oak, I had a dogwood, he (Matt) had a sweetgum. So he just made it part of our lives. My son this year, he’s 8 and he got a tree for his birthday. It’s outside his window.”

The dedication was led by 6th Ward Alderman Wayne Allen. 

Dick Ralston passed away last June.

Recommended Posts

Loading...

Share Contact

contact-chris-mcintyre-qr-code