Ralph Munro, Washington’s longest-serving secretary of state and a moderate Republican who achieved unusually broad popularity across the political spectrum, died early Thursday at his convalescent home in Lacey. He was 81 and had struggled with multiple health issues for the past several years. Current Secretary of State Steve Hobbs announced his predecessor’s passing, saying Munro “embodied the drive and attitude of a true statesman.”
As news of Munro's death spread quickly through Olympia and the greater Pacific Northwest, he was remembered for his diverse causes and wide-ranging influence. Throughout his life, Munro championed various issues from orca protection and voting expansion to disability rights, polio eradication, and historic preservation.
“Ralph was known for moderation, civility and bipartisanship. He certainly exuded that in his role as secretary of state,” recalled friend and longtime collaborator Sam Reed, who succeeded Munro in office.
Munro's colorful, decades-long political career began humbly, starting as a supply clerk in the basement of the Capitol building in Olympia. His hard work and serendipitous encounters, particularly with then-Governor Dan Evans, landed him an invite to join the governor’s staff in the late 1960s, where he would assist Evans as a special assistant.
Among the highlights of Munro's legacy is his participation in the successful resettlement of thousands of Vietnamese war refugees in 1975. Dispatched by Evans, he made a notable visit to a refugee holding camp in California, inviting people to come to Washington state.
In a light-hearted moment, Evans recalled, “What made that work so well... was because we asked the people of Washington to act as sponsors. There was great turnout… in spite of the fact that Vietnam was a very unpopular war.”
Adding to his multifaceted contributions, Munro fervently opposed the commercial whale captures that took place in Washington waters during the 1970s. This campaign was sparked by a personal encounter he had while sailing on Puget Sound, where he stumbled upon gruesome scenes of orca captures for SeaWorld.
“It was gruesome, it was just plain awful,” Munro stated regarding the orca capture operation in an archived interview. “You had parts of the pod inside and parts outside the nets and screaming.”
A decade later, Munro helped Washington State Parks secure a site on San Juan Island around a landmark lighthouse to create Lime Kiln Point State Park, which is now a popular destination for whale watching enthusiasts.
His commitment to orca protection extended further. Munro served for many years on the board of the Orca Conservancy, which he co-founded to free the last surviving killer whale taken from Washington. He even traveled to Miami to plead Tokitae’s case, an orca who performed under the stage name Lolita before dying after five decades in captivity.
In terms of electoral achievements, Munro was elected as secretary of state in 1980 at age 37, continuing to serve five additional terms until his retirement in 2000. Effective in office, he was a trailblazer for voting initiatives, notably advocating for expanding vote-by-mail systems and establishing ‘motor voter’ registration, which permits residents to register to vote when applying for or renewing driver’s licenses.
In addition to voting initiatives, he ushered in Washington’s first address confidentiality program aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence and stalking, allowing them to receive mail through the secretary of state’s office to keep their actual addresses secret.
While campaigning, Munro became well-known for his catchy political ads, which famously featured 30 seconds of bagpipe music followed by a tagline stating, “This interlude brought to you by” the Munro campaign.
Throughout his public service, Munro became an unofficial ambassador representing Washington on the world stage. He completed multiple trade missions abroad, including a trip to the Soviet Union in 1990, fostering international relations.
In his retirement, which saw more than 800 attendees at his farewell party, Munro’s impact resonated across political lines. He was celebrated for his approach to bipartisan cooperation, and former Governor Gary Locke recognized, “The people send us here to get something done. They don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat.”
Still a passionate advocate, Munro later worked with Western Washington University to start the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education, aimed at promoting good governance through seminars and education.
Munro's life was not just marked by his advocacy and electoral success; it was also tied to personal stories. He had one son, George, through his first marriage to Karen, which ended in divorce. Munro remarried late in life, but also reconnected with a daughter, Christi Stoll, whom he had not known existed until a few years ago when she located him through a genetic database lookup after being given up for adoption.
Speaking fondly of their reunion, Munro established a warm connection with Stoll, who expressed gratitude for his openness. Their relationship highlighted Munro’s compassionate character, which had defined much of his public life.
Ralph Munro’s life was a testament to commitment, compassion, and civic engagement that left an indelible mark on the people and the communities he served. His remarkable story continues to inspire those who champion bipartisanship and humanitarian efforts.
