HARTLEN, RALPH KEVIN, 56, passed away suddenly in Kentville, Nova Scotia on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Gillian Lloyd (Hughes); his mother, Patricia Beryl (White); his brother, Brian Leonard (Susan Elizabeth, nee Stead); his three children, Marshall Lloyd (Stephanie Lynn, nee Brisebois), Tamsyn Lloyd, Caitlin Lloyd; his granddaughters, Aurora Lynn and Brynn Addison; his nieces, Samantha Holly and Krysta Susan, and nieces and nephews on his wife's side: Lynne, Annette, Jason, Darren, Shane, and Lee. He is predeceased by his father, Ralph Marshall Hartlen; and his grandparents, Mack Ralph Hartlen, Dorothy Eileen Hartlen (Schrum), Isabel Margaret White (Thompson) and John Arthur White. He is also loved and well-remembered by relatives and friends across Canada and Wales. Ralph was born in Montreal on September 14, 1955, as Ralph Kevin Hartlen. The names had been accidentally reversed on the birth certificate, so his family still called him Kevin. His father, Ralph Sr., was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, and Kevin spent his youth living in a variety of places, including Montreal, Germany and Ontario. By the time he reached his teenage years, Kevin had begun the lifelong habit of "being difficult", and switched to his birth name of Ralph. In 1974, after some trying times in Canada, young adult Ralph moved to England to stay with his parents for a time. This was a happy decision that led to meeting his future wife, Gillian, in 1976. Although she had spent her entire life either in England or her native Wales, he quickly swept her off her feet and stole her away to Canada, after their marriage in 1977. Ralph worked a series of jobs for the next couple years, and Ralph and Gillian gave birth to their first child, Marshall, in 1979. Their daughters, Tamsyn and Caitlin, followed in 1982 and 1986, respectively. In 1980, as Ralph Sr. retired from the military, Ralph Jr. followed in his footsteps and became his family's third generation to join up. His first posting was to CFB Greenwood, NS in 1981. In 1987, the Hartlen family was posted to Baden-Soellingen, Germany. After four years there and a tour in Cyprus, his next and longest posting was to CFB Cold Lake, in 1991. Although working variously as a technician and instructor during this time, he remarked that he was likely a career MCpl because he "couldn't keep his big mouth shut". Happily in 2002, he was promoted to sergeant, and then once again posted to CFB Greenwood, where he finished out his military career, interrupted by two tours in Italy, and a two year posting to Ottawa as an airworthiness auditor in 2006. Ralph's career from avionics technician to training instructor spanned 30 years of dedication and loyalty. Well-respected for his work ethic, WO Hartlen retired on his 55th birthday on September 14, 2010, to much acclaim from his peers, superiors and subordinates. Ralph was also an influential member of the Scouts Canada community. He joined as a Beaver leader in 1986, and continued his work with Cubs and Scouts for over eighteen years. After his retirement from the military, Ralph began work as a contract liaison officer between 413 SAR squadron and the civilian contractors that maintained aircraft in CFB Greenwood. Although undergoing cancer treatment at various points during this period, Ralph and Gillian continued to enjoy their lives. Whether attending one of Gillian's choir performances, or pursuing his questionable bowling career, Ralph remained active. His other hobby was extensive genealogy research, which has helped bring the current generations of Hartlens closer together. Ralph Kevin Hartlen was a larger-than-life man, full of generosity and love. He worked hard and supported his family, whether it was delivering pizzas and driving Zamboni machines on the side, or supporting their various endeavours. An active volunteer, Ralph was a well-respected member of any community he became part of. He was a positive and inspiring role model throughout his life, and particularly with his indefatigable attitude toward cancer. Ralph's family would like to express their gratitude for the care and attention he received during his various treatment phases: to the EHS technicians, the wonderful staff of QE2 Hospital in Halifax, and emergency staff at both Soldiers Memorial in Middleton and Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. Special thanks as well to Dr. M. Ranji, Dr. Gaurav Bahl, Dr. Davis, and Dr. S. Mark Taylor. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 18, from 7pm to 9pm at Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, (902) 825-3448. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 19 at 11:00 am at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, CFB Greenwood, Church Street. Please join us to celebrate Ralph's life with stories and laughter at the Annapolis Mess following the service. A guestbook is available online at www.middletonfuneralhome.com for friends and loved ones to leave their well wishes and memories of Ralph. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Ralph's support of various charities, the family requests that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.