Eugene "Gene" Ralston

Eugene Bowers “Gene” Ralston, 83, Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Gene was born in Wichita, Kansas, on September 5, 1940, the son of Julian and Virginia Bowers Ralston. He graduated from Wichita East High School in 1958, Wichita University in 1963 and Washburn University Law School in 1966. He was the founding partner of Ralston-Pope-Diehl Law Firm. Gene married Diane Michaelis on August 25, 1978, in Topeka. After they were married, they started Ramich Farms in 1978, starting with Thoroughbred Horses but realizing American Quarter Horses was the direction the Farm needed to go. Gene was a successful Horseman. Ramich Farms won American Quarter Horse Breeder of the Year and raised several champions. Gene’s favorite horse was First Regards. Gene was a member of the Fairfield Polo Club and played Polo from the ages of 14 through 23; he was a goal 3 player. He was also a member of numerous trial law organizations, which include the American, Kansas, and Topeka Bar Associations, Association of Trial Lawyers of American and the American Board of Advocates. The one enjoyed most was the Lawyers Club in Topeka. Gene had been bestowed many honors from various associations and it never felt as though he wanted to be the recipient of those honors. Gene shunned the accolades of his success because he did not do it for notoriety. Gene’s love for the law was in his ability to use it to help the poor, the injured and the disadvantaged. He felt his greatest success was changing the law to protect children and people with disabilities from being taken advantage of. He was one of the lead attorneys in changing the law regarding heart transplants. Gene was involved in requiring psychologists and psychiatrists to disclose dangers patients may pose to others around them. Gene is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Christopher Ralston (Sarah), Kirstin Ralston-Coley, Jason Ralston, Blair Ralston and Paige Spirk (Joe); grandchildren, Josh, Jon, Xavier, Olivia, Sam, Austin, Copeland, Emma, Triston, Ashton, Dean, Morgan, and Nolan; siblings, Bill Ralston (Shirley), Peggy Poma (Richard) and Sue Hatfield; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and uncle, Eugene Jackson Ralston “Uncle Jack.” Gene’s family said a long goodbye, they will never forget who he had always been to us as a devoted and loving father, grandfather and husband. Even as Gene deteriorated, never too far from him were the very best parts of himself. Visitation will be 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka KS 66614, where a rosary will be prayed at 11 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Private inurnment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. His Mass will be live streamed on the Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home Facebook Page. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene B. Ralston Law Alumni Scholars Fund (held at Washburn University) or Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Eugene "Gene" Ralston

September 5, 1940 - April 23, 2024