Richard W. Ramseyer

Ramseyer, Richard W. Answered his last alarm Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015. Age 91. Beloved husband of the late Marjorie (nee Osterer). Dear father of Barbara (the late Richard) Scarvaci of Grafton, Carolyn (Frank) Tesoriere of Las Vegas, NV, Richard M. (Alice) of Rhinelander, Marjorie (Peter) Werkowski of St. Johns, FL, Jeanne Arezina, Phyllis (the late Al) Klein of Raleigh NC, James W (Mitzi), and Susan Zeimet (David McCoy). 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Pat (the late George) Kachelmeyer. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Dick was a lifelong resident of Wisconsin while wintering in New Port Richey FL for a number of years. He graduated from Rufus King High School where he was an all-city guard on the football team and went on to Marquette on a football scholarship. When WWII came, he entered the Army and trained as a navigator in what was then the Army Air Corps. He returned to Milwaukee in 1945 and met a brand-new graduate of Rufus King, Marge Osterer. They married in January of 1947 and were together for 59 years until her passing in 2006. He joined the Milwaukee Fire Department in 1948 and moved up through the ranks becoming what was at those times the youngest lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief in the history of the department. He achieved a final rank of deputy chief (in the shop) before retiring in 1985. He was a frustrated artist and had many interests and hobbies throughout his life. Photography, jewelry-making, furniture building, sculpture and wood carving. There is a bas-relief carving in the lobby of the Fire Dept. School that was designed and created by a crew of artistic firefighters that he was thrilled to have been a part of. Another passion was travel and he traveled with Marge or friends to Mexico, China, Ecuador, Rwanda and Thailand taking the opportunity to embrace his joy of photography. After his retirement, he and Marge bought a motor home and traveled all over the lower 48, Canada and up to Alaska. He had an unabashed interest in the people and cultures he visited and has friends all over the world. A lifetime learner, he truly took every opportunity to create an adventurous and full life. He will be greatly missed. A memorial gathering will be held on January 11th at Mo's Irish Pub 10842 W. Bluemound Rd.; with a Memorial celebration at 11 AM followed by a family Visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wisconsin Public Television or the American Lung Association; or the charity of your choice.