Ralph Gerard Ward was born on 20 May 1933 in Taupo, New Zealand. He received a BA (1954) and MA in Geography (1956) from Auckland University College, and PhD from the University of London (1963). He worked as a Junior Lecturer in Geography 1956-1959; Lecturer in Geography 1960-1961, University of Auckland. From 1961 to August 1967 he was Lecturer in Geography at the University College London. Ward was foundation Professor of Geography at the University of Papua New Guinea 1967-1971. He joined the Australian National University as its foundation Professor of Human Geography, Research School of Pacific Studies from December 1971 to 1998. During his tenure he was Head of Department 1971-1980 and 1995-1998. Ward was appointed to Director, Research School of Pacific Studies November 1980-May 1993. After retiring in 1998, Ward became a Visiting Fellow of The Pacific Centre, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU. He contributed to the governance of three Pacific universities, serving on Council for University of Papua New Guinea, National University of Samoa and Universite Francaise du Pacifique. He has also served on the Pacific Science Association and the Australian National Commission for UNESCO. He died on 16 January 2023 in Adelaide.