Missing senior’s body found in field

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/01/2015 (4106 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Westman senior who appears to have frozen to death after his car got stuck in snow was a well-liked church minister.

The family of 86-year-old Ralph Clark says he was a popular man of faith who will be missed by the hundreds of people he met and served as minister to during his life.

“He will be missed by more than his family,” Dan Clark said in a phone interview on Tuesday after RCMP issued a news release about his father’s death.

No foul play is suspected.

RCMP say that Ralph was last seen alive around 7:30 p.m. on Boxing Day.

Ralph’s family says he lived alone in his house just outside Lauder, about 100 km southwest of Brandon, and had gone for supper at the home of a friend a few miles out of town on Boxing Day. It appears he then left his friend’s home in his car alone, presumably to drive home.

Dan said his family contacted RCMP on Dec. 29 after they hadn’t heard from his father and learned that he hadn’t been seen lately.

His father was very independent, Dan said, and was frequently out and about.

“We never worried about him because he was always on the go,” Dan said. “If we couldn’t get a hold of him … when he’d get back to us, he would.”

Area residents and RCMP held a search that included the use of snowmobiles and a private plane, said Turtle Mountain RCMP Cpl. Terry Lucier.

“The efforts to search for Mr. Clark, they just show how much a community comes together in a time of adversity … the community came together in a big way,” Lucier said.

RCMP Const. Paul Human said the hunt lasted a few hours.

Ralph’s car was found stuck in snow in a field beside a gravel rural road on the same day as he was reported missing. His body was found in another field near his car, police said.

Dan said he understands his father may have walked 2 1/2 miles and was found about half a mile from a residence.

Human said autopsy results indicate that the cause of death was hypothermia. The low temperatures recorded in Brandon on the days Ralph was missing ranged between -28.4 C to -31.8 C, or -34 C to -44 C with the wind chill.

Police and family believe Ralph’s car got stuck in the snow and he perished from the cold while walking to get help.

It’s not known how the car came to be stuck.

Police declined to specify the clothing Ralph was wearing at the time his body was found.

However, Lucier said that in general motorists need to be prepared for the elements and offered some tips.

“If you become stranded, unless you are extremely close to a residence or some form of better shelter … stay with your vehicle,” Lucier said.

Travellers should carry a kit that includes such things as a warm pair of boots and clothes. It should also contain matches, candles and blankets to help keep warm in the vehicle.

Candles can be placed in an empty paint can, for example, for safety.

Carry a cellphone, Lucier also advised, but he stressed they can’t be relied upon due to spotty coverage.

Dan said his father was raised on a southern Ontario farm and earned a degree at McMaster University before moving to Manitoba, where he earned a theology degree at United College.

He became an ordained United Church minister in 1952, and over the years ministered in such locations as Lauder, Hamiota, Dugald, Minto, Ninette and Margaret.

He also worked for the Manitoba highways department for 10 years before retiring.

He remained a long-term Lauder-area resident and continued to work off-and-on as a minister. He was also former president of the Manitoba Senior Baseball League.

His longtime wife passed away about five years ago and he leaves behind his son, four daughters and numerous grandchildren.

Dan said his well-known father was a giving man who would jump in to help people without being asked.

“He was very aware of other people and their needs and their surroundings.”

An estimated 400 people attended a memorial service in Hartney.

Pie, a favourite food of Ralph’s, was served at his memorial and a pie auction was held to raise money for the Lauder United Church, the Lauder Inn and the local community hall.

» ihitchen@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @IanHitchen