Life history interview conducted by Janice Dilg.
October 15, 2014Location: Century Hotel, Tualatin, Oregon.
Ralph Cheek (b. 1930) graduated from Oregon State College in 1952, completing a degree in Business while also participating in Naval ROTC. Following a period of military service, Cheek embarked upon a career with Kaiser Aluminum that would span more than thirty years. Beginning as a scrap foreman, Cheek eventually advanced to the position of Vice President of Manufacturing and Sales for Kaiser Aluminum Europe, while also serving as a member of the Kaiser Aluminum Europe board. In 1986 Cheek retired from Kaiser Aluminum and accepted a position as CEO of IMCO Recycling, which he built up to become the world's largest recycler of aluminum cans. In his interview he discusses his OSC years, his many positions with Kaiser Aluminum, and his influential leadership of IMCO Recycling.