John and Joyce RAMBERG

RAMBERG, John and Joyce John Ramberg of Tucson passed away peacefully on February 3rd, 2018 after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). John was a loving husband, caring father/grandfather and an accomplished professor and scholar. Even those who spent time with him in his final days said that he was a teacher until the end. John was born in Stillwater, Minnesota. He received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1961 and marched as part of the band in the Rose Bowl halftime show. Joyce Ramberg of Tucson passed away peacefully on November 27th, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a loving wife, mother/grandmother and a dedicated Registered Nurse. Joyce's living spirit was faithful to her pets and all things outdoors. She was a fighter that moved mountains until her final days. Born in Litchfield, Minnesota, Joyce was the oldest of eight children. She grew up on a farm just east of Grove City and then went on to graduate from the Swedish School of Nursing in Minneapolis. John and Joyce married in 1961 and began their 56 years together in Cincinnati, OH. Driven by John's pursuit of higher education, they relocated to Ithaca, NY where John attended Cornell University and earned his Master's. While in New York, John and Joyce welcomed their first two children, Michael and Jill. The family moved to Coralville so that John could take his first teaching position at the University of Iowa in 1967. In 1969, John completed his PhD and daughter, Beth was born. John continued his work at the University while Joyce worked at Mercy Hospital and took up pottery, the first of many art hobbies. Joyce and John loved the outdoors and shared this love with their children. Summers were spent in Minnesota at Joyce's family farm and John's family river cabin. They vacationed in Colorado for skiing in the winter and mountain adventures in the summer. In 1978, the family moved to Tucson where John taught and conducted research at the University of Arizona, serving as Head of the Systems and Industrial Engineering Department from 1981 to 1988. He was a fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE).  Joyce re-entered the nursing field at Tucson Medical Center as a Scrub Nurse in the operating room. The time in Arizona cultivated their love for the outdoors. Joyce made numerous long-lasting friends hiking the many canyons and volunteered as a docent at the Arizona Desert Museum. John golfed and could always find a mountain lake to catch fish. They continued the tradition of family vacations to Colorado and took other trips around the world. In 2002, Joyce and John moved to Pagosa Springs, Colorado – hiking, skiing and now living in the state that had always been one of their favorite destinations. During this time, they renewed some long-term friendships and made many new ones. Their last days were spent in Tucson, the town their three children still call "home." Preceded in death by their parents, Joyce's sister, Marty and her nephew, Bret as well as the many pets they parented throughout their lives. Survived by Michael (Yvette), Jill (Ed) Bilsky, Beth (Greg) Meisel and grandchildren, Stephen, Nicole, Katie, Jacob, Joshua, Jessica, Charlie and Leo and pets, Keesha and Quincy. Two people, so different but committed to each other. They will be missed dearly. We know that their many colleagues, students, extended family and friends that crossed their paths will miss them as well. In lieu of gifts, donations can be made to a charity dear to your heart. A Celebration of their lives will be held in March. Their ashes will be laid to rest in the Grand Canyon where they enjoyed many adventures together. Arrangements by DESERT SUNSET FUNERAL HOME.