Ralph Kuris
Born on July 10, 1925, as Ralph Marsden, Ralph Kuris didn't know much about bowling until he began working at a bowling alley early in adulthood. It was there that he began to take a love for the sport. It was also there that bowling alley owner, Nick Kuris, took Ralph under his wing and adopted him when Ralph was around the age of 30. Shortly after his last name changed, which was around 1956, Ralph helped Al and Betsy Shull to build the original Northway Lanes ( now Muskegon Lanes). Just more than 10 years later in 1967, Ralph was at it again. This time he was building the bowling alley currently known as Northway Lanes. He had with him a trusty maintenance man in current Hall of Famer Bob Jacobs.
Known for his outgoing personality, Ralph used his personal attributes to attract many tournaments to Muskegon. He sponsored many teams over the years, and always considered the bowling community to be part of his own family. Ralph loved glamour and nice things. He was quite the collector of art and antiques, and owned a very nice boat. As if that weren't enough, Muskegon wasn't Ralph's only home. He kept homes in Spain and Puerto Rico, as well. Ralph was always known for having a very flamboyant personality, and would do anything for just about anybody.
If there was one thing Ralph knew how to do, it was throw a party, he went all out for his guests, making sure his gathering were the best. Every year, he held glamorous parties for all the employees of Northway Lanes. He made sure everything was top notch for them, as they were also a part of his family.
Ralph involved himself in bowling, but never really got into it as a sport. He just loved being around bowlers and giving them his very best, right up to his passing on March 9, 1990.
You don't have to be a great bowler to love bowling, you don't have to bowl at all to help the sport out. Ralph Kuris proved that. Thank you, Ralph, for all you've done, and welcome to the Hall of Fame.