He was born on May 21, 1935 in Mobridge, SD, the third child of Lorena and Frank Vojta, Sr and was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Ramon (1956) and Frank, Jr (2000).

Ralph was a lifelong South Dakota resident and grew up in the Mobridge/Glenham area where his parents farmed. After graduating from Glenham High School in 1953, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, proudly serving his country from 1955 to 1959 on stations in Louisiana and Alaska. Upon return to South Dakota, Ralph worked as a road construction operator from 1960 into 1965 on enduring projects; I-90/I-94 segments of the interstate highway system and the Oahe Dam.

While in his hometown of Glenham, he met Clarice Connor, originally from Artesian, SD and a teacher at Glenham High School at the time. They were married on June 20, 1964. While Clarice taught school in Belle Fourche, Ralph attended Black Hills State College from 1965 to 1967, becoming a teacher and school administrator. Beginning in 1967 and through the 1970s and 1980s, Ralph worked as a principal, teacher, and superintendent in the communities of Dupree, Herreid, Mobridge, Wakpala and Marty, while spending many summers working on the family farm with his dad and brother Frank. After raising three children together, he and Clarice divorced in 1985. In 1987 Ralph hit the open road as a long-haul truck driver, but in 1999 he decided to change course and turn his long-time hobby and passion of wine making into a full-time occupation. He, along with his daughter Sandi and son-in-law Matt Keck, founded Prairie Berry Winery. Around that same time Ralph re-connected with his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Swift (Bertellotti). They were married on May 4, 2002.

Over the past years, Ralph maintained an active presence at Prairie Berry, tending to the grounds, assisting with aspects of production, and giving tours. As the most authentic, genuine tour guide that Prairie Berry will ever have, he was always sure to let his audiences in on "the rest of the story". His love of his country, family and passion for all things wine, food and people, are what made Ralph such an endearing and engaging member of the greater South Dakota community. The only things bigger than his curiosity, work ethic and sense of adventure were his heart and his smile.

Ralph leaves behind a family very proud to call him dad, husband, grandpa, brother and uncle, including his wife Sylvia Bertellotti-Vojta of Rapid City; sister Beverly Smith (Vojta) and husband Jim of Pierre; son Patrick Vojta and wife Jody, daughter Madison and son Austin of Boulder, CO, daughter Susan Vojta-Vick, her daughter Ali and husband Mark of Sioux Falls; daughter Sandi Vojta-Keck and husband Matt Keck of Rapid City; and former wife Clarice (Trudy) Connor-Oswald of Rapid City.

A visitation to celebrate Ralph's life will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a time of sharing at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 22, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Christian funeral mass will be offered at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 23, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 520 Cathedral Dr., with the Rev. Jonathan Dillon presiding.

Burial will be at 1:00 PM at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

As a melanoma skin cancer survivor, Ralph's request is that memorial donations may be made to Made for Shade (madeforshadesd.com), working to make South Dakota playgrounds sun-safe for kids.