Donald Hunt Ramsbottom

Donald Hunt “Don” Ramsbottom, longtime community leader, passed away on Saturday, July 23rd at home. He is survived by his wife Rohlat (Zaza) Ramsbottom to whom he was married for over 22 years, and her daughter Rojin Ayoubi; his son Scott and his children Nathaniel and Melissa from Little Compton, RI; his son Hunt and his wife Linda and their children Alex and Nicholas from Brentwood, CA; his daughter Sara Day Peckham and her husband Geoffrey and their children Lyndsey, Chas and Rigby from North Palm Beach, FL.

He was predeceased by his brothers Bill, Dana and Bob and his sisters, Elaine and Joan.

Born in Fall River on July 31, 1929, son of J. Dana and Barbara (Rooney) Ramsbottom. He was one of six children. He grew up attending public schools in Fall River and summered in Barrington, RI where he was an active member of the Barrington Yacht Club. An avid sailor, he sailed and raced his Beetle-Cat boat “Flying Fish” for many years.

He graduated from Tabor Academy in Marion, MA, Class of 1947 where he was captain of the wrestling team, played football and baseball, was on the Student Council and was involved in many activities on campus including Robat Club, Glee Club, Octet and was Business Manager of the school newspapers.

He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Engineering in 1952. While there, he was President of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was involved in many activities on campus including Student Council, ANAK Society, Ramblin’ Reck Club, Scabbard & Blade, Koseme Society, Bulldog Society and Phi Si Fraternity.

After graduating, he spent two years in the US Navy as a contracting officer purchasing evening apparel for the Navy and Marine Corps. Upon being honorably discharged from the Navy, he was hired by R.E. Smith Printing Co (RESCO) in Fall River where he became President and CEO for over 25 years. When the company was sold, he was hired as Vice President at BankBoston. At the age of 62, he was hired to lead the Development Office for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He was their Senior Philanthropic Officer for over 20 years. He fully retired in 2007 at the age of 78.

Donald was a hospital Trustee for 43 consecutive years for Truesdale Hospital and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Charlton Memorial Hospital and Southcoast Hospital Group.

He was President or Chairman of the Board of the Fall River Development Corporation, Fall River Chamber of Commerce, The United Way of Greater Fall River, Fall River Kiwanis Club, Fall River Salvation Army Advisory Board, Quequechan Club, Fall River Regional Task Force, Poppasquash Association and Oakland Farms II Condominium Association in Portsmouth, RI.

He was also a past Director of the Fall River Trust Company, BankBoston, Bristol County, Eastern Edison Company and a Trustee of Johnson & Wales University.

He was a member of the Rhode Island Country Club, Acoaxet Club, Elephant Rock Beach Club, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Barrington Yacht Club, UMass Club, and Tennis, Rhode Island.

Donald was a recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award by the Fall River Chamber of Commerce and was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Charlton College of Business at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

He enjoyed skiing, swimming, paddle tennis, golf, sailing and tennis, which he played until he was 90 years old. He sailed his boat MARS from Newport to Florida for several years and he was a member of the crew aboard the sailboat Brigadoon III when they won the Newport to Bermuda Race in 1982. He also sailed the America’s Cup American Eagle at age 84 with all of his children and grandchildren on board.

Don enjoyed his family, attending Patriot football games, playing many sports and being an active member of his community.

His Funeral Service will be held Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 11AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River, MA. Relatives and friends will be received by his family an hour prior to his service from 10 to 11AM. Burial will be private. A reception will be held at the Lobster Pot, 119 Hope St., Bristol, RI following the private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Donald H. Ramsbottom Endowment for students, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Foundation, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 or alumni2.umassd.edu/ramsbottom.