Richard V. Ramsdell

On June 11, 2010, Richard V. "Dick" Ramsdell, 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in the home which he shared with his loving wife, Mary Baban-Ramsdell. He was born April 2, 1930, in Oak Park, Illinois to Vernon Franklin and Cora Janet (Hicks) Ramsdell. Richard graduated from Janesville High School in 1947 at age 16.He went on to attend Milton College and then graduate from UW Madison in 1951 with a degree in psychology and business. Richard was married on Sept 22, 1951 to his beloved wife of 50 years, Marjorie June (Campbell) Ramsdell, who passed away in 2002. Together they had seven children, which Richard counted among his many blessings of life. Richard along with his first wife, Marjorie, owned and operated Dells Fine Cleaning and Johnny on the Spot Dry Cleaners, as well as several Laundromats throughout the city. Upon retirement from the cleaning business Dick worked for WCLO/WJVL in sales and promotion, and with Schauder Homes. On November 27, 2004, Richard and Mary L. Baban were married, blessing our family and sharing six enriching and loving years together. Richard was an avid scholar of life with an inquiring and curious mind. His interests were broad, with a vitality and passion for writing, poetry, lively discourse, camping, canoeing & kayaking, bicycling, reading, baking bread, cooking, travel, teaching, inventing, conversation, spending time with family and friends, and mentoring his dearly treasured grandchildren. He will be remembered fondly for his infamously delicious oatmeal-bulghur Sunday pancakes, which brought dozens of family and friends together for decades of love, laughter and discussion. Richard actively served his community over many years and in many capacities including Janesville School Board, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Janesville Literacy Council, Toastmasters, ECHO, YMCA, Founder of Unitarian Congregation of Rock Co, Janesville Little Theater, Stage One, Janesville Barbershop Chorus and more. Richard valued living a life of integrity, unapologetically "outside the box" and seemed proud of that model for his family. He often shared that he has had a great 'ride' in this journey of life, and expressed repeatedly that he has had more than his share of bonuses in this magnificent experience. Surviving are his current wife, Mary L. Baban-Ramsdell of Janesville; his seven children: Debra (Michael Lang) Ramsdell of Bozeman, MT, James (Lori Schneider) Ramsdell of Bayfield, WI, Robert (Helene)Ramsdell of Janesville, William Ramsdell of Corvallis, OR, Tammy (Gene) Boersma of Madison, WI, Kathleen (Dan) Mandelas of Ellensburg, WA, John (Helen) Ramsdell of Janesville; 8 grandchildren: Phoenix, Ben, Michael, Alexis, Dalton, Kristy, Logan, and Lauren; a sister Gwen Herbst of Middleton, WI. …and his well loved dog, Lilith. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Marjorie J Ramsdell, as well as elders and extended beloveds. A visitation with family will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2010, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME and a Celebration of life memorial service will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME. Memorials can be made in lieu of flowers to the Unitarian Congregation of Rock County, Rock County Humane Society, Janesville Literacy Council, or to ECHO. Dick, dad, grandpa, husband, lover, brother, uncle, friend, and valued member of our community will be deeply missed by his wide web, and will be forever remembered as we shout to him and he whispers back, his endearing …"Keep on chuggin'"