Richard Leroy Ramsdell

Richard Leroy Rasmdell, 80, of Charleston, died Saturday, October 10, 2009. Mr. Ramsdell was born on August 12, 1929, in Portland, Oregon, the only child of the late Clarence Leroy Ramsdell and Wanda Mae Dixon Ramsdell. A Korean War veteran, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1951. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education, and accepted an officer commission in the Air Force Reserve. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve in 1961. Mr. Ramsdell devoted his adult life to music education and retired from the Arlington County Virginia public school system in 1984 after 25 years of service having taught music and jazz band at George Mason and Yorktown High Schools. In addition to award winning high school bands that he directed, he established the school system's first jazz band. His love of jazz was transferred to scores of students who participated in the concert and jazz ensenbles. In 1988, Mr. Ramsdell and his wife, Carmita, returned to Charleston where they first met. For many years, Mr. Ramsdell gave private piano lessons in the Charleston area, and was active in local and national community music associations. He served with the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Department as a music coordinator for nearly ten years. Mr. Ramsdell was preceded in death by his wife, Carmita Schill Ramsdell. He is survived by his sister in law, Anna Bell Schill Smith, of Charleston. The relatives and friends of Richard L. Ramsdell are invited to attend his Funeral Service at 10:00 A.M., Monday, October 12, 2009, at the JAMES A. MCALISTER CHAPEL, 1620 Savannah Highway, Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery.