Ralmon Black

NORTHAMPTON – Ralmon Jon Black, age 78, passed away at Linda Manor in Northampton on March 6, 2018 at 12:02 a.m. 

He was born April 12, 1939  at Emerson Hospital in Concord Mass. He was the third of five children of Vivian (Williams) Black of Keene, New Hampshire and Lewis Black of Searsville (Williamsburg).  His parents were both school teachers and farmers.

Ralmon grew up on the land in Williamsburg where his yeoman forbearers had settled after the Revolution. He took an associate degree in animal husbandry from Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) in 1960.  After graduation, he served in the United States Army as a military policeman. In the decade following, he traveled extensively throughout the United States and around the world, working on farms and dairies in several foreign countries. He eventually settled back down in Williamsburg, building his home called "Wildemere," and would live there with his family the rest of his life. 

He retired in 2002 from a career spanning four decades with the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture as an inspector of dairying and animal husbandry. This work took him into the dairy operations on hundreds of farms in New England, especially in Massachusetts. Attending many regional and international dairy conferences instilled in him a deeper understanding of the emerging, scientific dairy practices that were being tried and implemented around the world.  

Ralmon served on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Williamsburg. He also served, for many years, in various volunteer positions at the Williamsburg Historical Society. 

His goal was not to leave this world without helping humanity, and the 4-H Camp Howe in Goshen, Mass, was one of his devoted causes. For more than forty years he helped the Camp in many ways, including serving on the Board of directors as his father had done before him and as his son Edlin and daughter Vivian do now.   

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Dan Black, and two sisters Marilyn Culver and Sondra Thatcher.

He was loved by his family. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Gloria Black; sons, Farlin Black (fiancée Tara Slade), Collin Black (wife Hannah), Edlin (wife Jennifer), his daughter Vivian Ruth Black (partner, Josiah Simpson), his sister Candace Smith (brother in law Carl Smith). five grandchildren, and countless cousins (some many times removed), nieces and nephews, one aunt, Ruth (Black) Koczela and former wife Sylvia Snape.

Ralmon was a diamond with numerous facets, many very glittering. He spoke eloquently. He was an artist with words. Ralmon was a noted historian of Williamsburg and its neighboring towns. He generously helped different people, sharing his extensive knowledge and his extraordinary memory with anyone who wanted or would listen without interrupting him. He loved all of his family, living and dead, and he recited all their names. His giant family tree has countless relatives. Now Ralmon's spirit is helping to hold up that tree so it will not fall. 

He knew by heart  long poems of many famous poets, as well as of his grandfather John Milton Black. 

Ralmon had a good sense of humor and a large repertoire of jokes, never missing an opportunity to tell them. He knew how to whistle and sing very well. 

He had many friends, from all over the world, and he valued their friendship and communicated with them frequently by phone or by email. He loved people and welcomed and opened the doors of his home to many. Ralmon cooked like a great chef de cuisine. His delicious food was enjoyed by his family and the many lucky ones who were invited to his table. He was the king of the kitchen and the farm. The King of Wildemere. 

On April 29, 2018, there will be a potluck at 1 p.m. and a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in celebration of his life at Camp Howe 557 East Street, Goshen. Everyone is invited.

Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Howe, 557 East Street --PO Box 326-Goshen, MA 01032 or to the Williamsburg Historical Society in Williamsburg, MA. Eric Weber - PO Box 314 -Williamsburg, MA 01096

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