Lt. Colonel Ronald D Ramsden, U.S.A.F. (Retired), passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 12th, 2021, under the caring eyes of his daughter Holly Ireland and his wife Jacqueline Bellamy at his home in Dryden, New York.
Born December 16, 1935 Lt. Col Ramsden was the son of Evlyn and Thelma Ramsden.
After graduating from Marcellus High School LTC Ramsden became a student at Cornell University and participated in the ROTC program. After graduation he entered the Air Force, served four years and made the decision to continue in the Air Force.
During the 60 ‘s and 70’s he took part in the Vietnam War and the Cold War. In the latter part of the 1970’s he probably had his most favorite assignment yet when he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in OKC as a navigator on the U.S.A.F. Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) plane. On this plane he flew many missions worldwide and spent numerous days and nights in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East helping lay the groundwork for many of today’s United States government Middle East policies.
Upon retiring he and wife Joyce returned to Marcellus where both became very active in Marcellus United Methodist Church and many other organizations. During this period Joyce passed away. In 2006 he married Jacqueline; they later moved to Dryden, New York and enjoyed 15 years together before he passed away.
He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Bellamy, his daughter Holly Ireland and her husband Glen Ireland, his son David Ramsden and his wife Robin Ramsden, his sisters: Donna Fuirmano, Marcia Masters (Jim), Susan Clark (Jim), Jill Wall (Bob), Birdie Sanderson (Bill), and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visiting hours will be held at Plis Funeral Home, Marcellus, NY on Friday June 18th from 3-5pm. Funeral services will be held at Marcellus United Methodist Church on Sunday June 20th starting at 11am with a military send off immediately following the service at Highland Cemetery, Marcellus, NY.