Dean A. Ramsey

Dean Allen Ramsey, age 91, passed away March 9, 2022 at Mt. Carmel East Hospital. He was born July 10, 1930 in Columbus, Ohio to Hartman and Lavina (Babe) Montis Ramsey. Dean was a graduate of Pataskala High School and loved to share memories of growing up in his hometown, working in his father’s local grocery store, and his friendships with community members.

A 1952 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, Dean served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, including one year in North Africa. He attained the rank of Captain and also served in the USAF Reserve. Dean began his career at OSU in 1958 after first working in the private office of a Kansas City landscape architect. He was OSU’s first University Landscape Architect and progressed to a variety of positions before retiring as Assistant Vice President (Emeritus) of Physical Facilities in 1988. Some of Dean’s capacities included Director of Grounds Maintenance, Director of Major Construction, and Physical Facilities Coordinator for the establishment of OSU’s regional campuses.

Other campus activities in which Dean served were the Campus Planning Advisory Board, Faculty Club Board of Control, Advisory Council for the Physically Impaired, was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Chadwick Arboretum, and served as an usher for Ohio State football games. He referred to OSU as a “way of life,” and in 2020 was recognized along with members of his family by the Ohio State Alumni Association and the Columbus Dispatch as one of only a few known five-generation families of OSU graduates.

Upon retiring from OSU Dean continued working in his own private practice, performing master and detail planning for corporations as well as for high school and college campuses, and a design and construction management project for Lifeline of Ohio in honor of organ and tissue transplant donors.

Dean is preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter Heather. He is survived by his sweetheart Ann (Reelhorn) who he married on August 9, 1952 and shared 69 adventurous years together, including traversing the United States with his family and “crossing the pond” (in his words) with Ann over a dozen times. He is also survived by his four children: Craig, of Mt. Vernon, Marc, of Columbus, Paige (Greg) Squires, of Ashland, and Brooke (Suzy) of Westerville.

Dean and Ann’s four grandchildren are the pride of the Ramsey family and include Allie (Nate) Burns, of Perrysburg, Drew (fiancée Rachel Seyfarth) Squires, of Farmington Hills, MI, Tyler Ramsey, of Dayton, and Max Ramsey, of Columbus. Great-grandson Lincoln recently became the light of Dean’s life and a sibling is expected in July. Dean was known to be present (usually near the front row when possible) for virtually every youth sporting, art, music, and academic event where his children and grandchildren were involved. He was “Dad” to his children and “Papa” to his grand and great-grandchildren.

Dean loved anything to do with aviation, boating, military history, and the saxophone. A member of the West Licking Historical Society, he was well-known around the county for his sketches of local schools, churches, homes, and historical landmarks. Dean and Ann were grand marshals of the 2006 Pataskala Street Fair Parade. He was a strong advocate of children and had been Pataskala PTO President, a member of the Southwest Licking Board of Education, Licking County Board of Education, and the Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County Board of Education. Dean was involved for many years with Pataskala Boy Scout Troop 21, including as Scoutmaster, and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award for service with Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Pataskala #404, also a 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and had faithfully served for 70 years as a Freemason. Dean was an active member of Pataskala United Methodist Church where he served as a Trustee.

Funeral services will be held at Pataskala United Methodist Church, 458 S. Main St., Pataskala, OH, on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Nicole Baker officiating. Visitation with the family will take place from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. Burial will follow at Pataskala Cemetery and friends are invited to return to the church to share a meal and memories. Memorial contributions can be made to Pataskala Boy Scout Troop 21 through their Facebook page, Lifeline of Ohio, or to Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens where donations can be payable to The Ohio State University, 152 Howlett Hall, 201 Fyffe Ct, Columbus, OH 43210