Donald Ramsay

RAMSAY, Donald Allan, CM, MA, Ph.D., Sc. D., F.R.S.C., F.R.S., RESEARCHER EMERITUS, NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL Peacefully at home on Thursday October 25, 2007 age 85. Beloved husband of the late Nancy Ramsay of 52 years. Loving husband of Marjorie C.F. Ramsay. Dearly loved father of Shirley Nincevic, Catharine J. Ramsay (Roy Knight), Linda Douglas and the late Wendy Grava (Juris). Cherished grandfather of Paul Nincevic, Christina and Eric Grava. Son of the late Norman & Thirza Ramsay. Brother of Gordon Ramsay (the late Mary) (Christine) and the late Kenneth Ramsay (Beryl). Uncle of Mary Harris, Elizabeth, Margaret and Jean Ramsay. A Memorial Service for Donald will be held Saturday, November 17, 2007 at Kingsway United Church, 630 Island Park Drive, Ottawa at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to World Vision or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Born in Putney, England July 11, 1922, he attended Latymer Upper School and Cambridge University where he met his wife Nancy. A keen rower for St. Catharine's College, he rowed as a Cambridge Blue in 1944. After Cambridge they immigrated to Ottawa arriving in July 1947; he took up a position as Research Officer at NRC in the field of molecular spectroscopy. Don worked at NRC for over 60 years producing some 200 scientific publications. In the early years of his career, he helped to establish the faculty of Science at Ottawa University, teaching courses for 8 years. He founded the International Symposium on Free Radicals in 1956. His scientific research led to world wide collaboration, encouraging international exchange of people and ideas. Donald and Nancy were Charter Members of Kingsway United Church since inception in 1947. They joined the church choir and Don took up organ lessons and continued to be organist at Kingsway for 50 years. Their four daughters were born and raised in Ottawa. Summer holidays were time at North Star near Deep River, Ontario. Donald and Nancy traveled widely. They befriended and hosted numerous postdoctoral fellows, visiting scientists and dignitaries who came to NRC, many of whom became life long friends. Donald was greatly honoured as a Fellow of the Royal Society of London and of Canada, the Medal of the Chemical Institute of Canada, and received honourary degrees from the Universities of Reims and Stockholm. His achievements in the field of spectroscopy added immeasurably to the Council's international reputation and built linkages to organizations around the world. Unfailingly dedicated to The Royal Society of Canada, he twice served as Honourary Treasurer. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, the Centennial Medal in 1982, Commemorative Medal for 125th Anniversary of Cdn. Confederation in 1992 and the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Fellowship. In 1997 he was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada.