Ralph J. Erickstad (August 15, 1922 – July 12, 2001) was the Chief Justice on the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1973 to 1992.
[1] Erickstad was born near the farming community of Starkweather, North Dakota.
He served in the United States Air Force (Eighth Air Force) during World War II as a gunner and radio operator aboard a Consolidated B-24 Liberator.
In 1962 he was elected to serve on the North Dakota State Supreme Court.
Starting in 1973, he was repeatedly elected to the position of Supreme Justice for five years at a time until his retirement in 1992.