SMITHVILLE Roger D. Ramseyer, 82, passed away on May 29, 2019 at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster. He spent 49 years in education as a teacher, coach, high school principal, superintendent and College of Wooster adjunct professor.
Roger was born on the family farm in Smithville to Ivan and Margery (McFadden) Ramseyer. He married Beverly McCloskey in August, 1969 and together they had a daughter, Becky.
Roger set high expectations for himself and rose to any challenge that came his way. While in high school, Roger set a Smithville boys basketball scoring record with 1,152 career points a record that stood for more than 50 years. After graduating from The College of Wooster, where he played varsity basketball and set a school record in the shot put, he stayed there as an assistant track coach. That year, the Scots were Ohio Conference champions in track. Roger later left Wayne County to continue his teaching and coaching careers in Cleveland. While coaching track and cross country in Cleveland, Roger led John Marshall High School to a state championship in 1964, four city championships and nine district titles. It was also during his time at John Marshall that Roger first met his wife Beverly, also a teacher. The Ramseyers left the Cleveland area when Roger became principal at Hiland High School in Berlin, Ohio.
A Smithville farm boy at his core, Roger returned to his roots in 1987 to assume a role as principal, then superintendent, at his alma mater, Green Local Schools. He later returned to The College of Wooster, where he thoroughly enjoyed teaching future educators as an adjunct professor in the Department of Education. Roger was inducted into sports Halls of Fame in Cleveland, Smithville and Wayne County. Roger was a strong supporter and fundraiser for The College of Wooster men s basketball program, the American Red Cross and LifeCare Hospice. He served on the Boards of the American Red Cross and People to People Ministries. He was a member of the Wooster Rebounders, Elks Lodge and lifetime member of the Smithville Community Historical Society. He attended Oak Grove Mennonite Church and First Presbyterian Church.
After his retirement, Roger continued to live life to its fullest by spending time outdoors, gardening, strolling the farmers markets, peddling vegetables and other wares, public speaking and writing his three books. Roger also looked forward to morning coffee with the boys at the Village Market in Smithville and at the College of Wooster. Roger s motto was Life is Good!
Roger is survived by many who dearly miss his strength, stories and infectious sense of humor, including his wife of nearly 50 years, Beverly; daughter, Becky Ramseyer (Jason) Melchiorre; two grandsons; sisters, Elaine (Jim) Blosser, Janet (Eldon) Birky, Beth (Clyde) Stutzman; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry Ramseyer.
A service celebrating Roger s life will be held on June 18 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Road in Smithville. Friends will be received at Oak Grove from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the American Red Cross (244 West South Street, Wooster), People to People Ministries (454 East Bowman Street, Wooster) or Ohio s Hospice LifeCare (1900 Akron Road, Wooster).
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
American Red Cross, 244 W. South St., Wooster, OH 44691 or People to People Ministries, 454 E. Bowman St., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691
Service
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Mennonite Church
Visitation
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Rd., Smithville
Becky: Please accept my sympathies on your father’s passing. Your dad was always so very kind and supportive of me when I taught at Smithville. I will keep you and yours in my thoughts and hope the good memories of your dad offer comfort in the days ahead
Sorry for your loss Bev & Becky. Memories of your family stay with me over the years.
I know Roger will be greatly missed by all.
Sorry I cant make his service on Tuesday but I will be thinking of both of you.
Deb Z.
Our thoughts are with you and your family in this time of sadness.
Bob and Becky Brubacher
So very sorry for your loss. Will keep your family in my prayers for comfort and healing.
We are so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers
To Roger’s Family and Friends, Our deepest sympathies go out to you. May God, and the many good memories, sustain you; now and also in the future.. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your families. Sincere condolences from Art Beerys, Smithville, Ohio
We have known Roger since the days of John Marshall and have enjoyed his company since that time. We will remember him as a dedicated educator and friend. May the wonderful memories that you have of him, help you through these dark days. We are sorry we will not be able to come to the funeral. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May his memory be eternal. Dave and Vange Richards.
Bev and Becky…..You have our sincere sympathy
And prayers. We are sure you have many pleasant
Memories. God’s blessings to you and your family.
Love, Randall and Marlys, Marshallville.
Becky: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I really enjoyed working with him when he hired me as your cheerleading advisor. He was always so supportive of what I did. He will be missed! I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Beth and families,
So sorry to hear about Rogers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this difficult time.
To Beverly & Becky – we are thinking of you and your family as you say goodbye to a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great community leader.
Beverly so sorry to hear the loss of Roger I do remember lots of laughs we had while i cleaned his room at work. prayers are with you and the family. what a wonderful fellow he was.
Coach Ramseyer not only coached me to a State Championship but he developed me as a person. He taught me that hard work and dedication would always lead to success. I am in awe of all of his accomplishments, and wish I had known more of his life, as I was so motivated by him as he was coaching me in track and cross country.
Mrs Beverly Ramseyer,
You were the best teacher I ever had, 1971,5th grade, Pearl Road Elementary. I will never forget you.
I’m sure your dear husband is watching over you & yours.
Sincerely,
Sandy
Better late than never. I learned of Coach R’s passing at our belated 50th reunion last week in Cleveland. I was a 1969 grad at John Marshall and he was my track coach and taught me how to run the 440.
He was an inspiring mentor and friend and I regret not keeping up with him. I left Cleveland to attend Duke University and then live in and work in NYC for 40 years. I have never stopped running to this day. Thanks, Coach. RIP.