Obituary of Robert RAMSDELL

Robert L. Ramsdell, 86, passed away Feb.15, 2006 in Lake Havasu City. He was born July 11, 1919 in Winchester, MA. After serving his country in the U.S. Army, WWII as a Warrant Officer, the Bronze Star recipient, returned home to Wakefield, MA to begin a long and distinguished career in banking with the Melrose Wakefield Trust company, retiring as its President in 1977 and moving with his beloved wife Jean to Lake Havasu City, where as a member of the Lake Havasu Golf Club they pursued their favorite pastime.Unable to stay retired, he put his financial background to good use authoring the newly incorporated city's first budget as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He went on to a career in real estate, was a member of the Board of Realtors, Golden ilK" Kiwanis Club, and a member of St. Michael's Methodist Church and had an active civic career as a Member of the City Council, Vice-Mayor and Mayor. When he came out of his second retirement to fill a vacancy on the Council, an editorial in Today's News-Herald said, " He's a retired, no-nonsense Yankee banker who served the city well...we're glad he's found time for another year of public service to provide the financial bedrock he can on finance and commonsense."His family noted that, "His proudest accomplishment and the one that gave him the greatest satisfaction and joy was his family. Family comes first. He was our bedrock. He filled our lives with love, laughter, and wisdom. He will be deeply missed."He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean E. Ramsdell; his daughters Betsey Hoyt of Lake Havasu, Bonnie Lounsbury of Spokane, Washington, Jill Ramsdell of South Hampton, N.H.; grandchildren Jennifer, Kathryn, and James Hoyt, of LakeHavasu City, Tammy Owens of Las Vegas, Gaelan and Grady McDonald ofN.H; great granddaughters Tori Beth Gambill of Orange County, CA and Cierra Nicole Lowder of Lake Havasu; brother Richard Ramsdell of Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter Bonnie Jean Hoyt of Lake Havasu.A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael's Church on 2895 Jamaica Blvd. followed by a reception at the Ramsdell residence, 2960 Coconino Dr. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of Havasu.Thoughts and condolences can be made to www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Liets-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory made the arrangements.