John Alan Ramsdell, MD

John A. Ramsdell, M.D. passed away on February 9, 2021 a month before his 94th birthday. He was the son of the late Edwin G. Ramsdell, M. D. and Bessie S. Ramsdell.

John and his wife, Barbara, were married for 65 years and dedicated their lives to each other, their family, and their community, White Plains, for which both joined in many civic activities, since settling in White Plains in 1960 to raise their family. The story starts much earlier though. His father was also a General Surgeon of fifty years affiliated with the White Plains Hospital. John represents the fourth generation of his family in medical practice in the White Plains, NY community.

John graduated from the Saint Paul's School in New Hampshire a year early to enter Yale University. He enlisted in the United States Army on his 18th birthday serving in the Finance Corps stationed in Europe for two years during and after World War II becoming a Staff Sergeant (T). After returning from service, he completed his undergraduate degree at Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He then graduated Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and served his internship at Bellevue Hospital - First Division (Columbia) in New York City. He went on to complete a Fellowship in Surgery at the Mayo Foundation, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. During his Fellowship, he also earned a Master of Science in Surgery from the University of Minnesota. After completing his Fellowship and before returning to White Plains in 1960, he served as Assistant to Staff at the Mayo Clinic.

John became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1964. During his career as a practicing surgeon, he was an attending surgeon at White Plains Hospital and the former St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains, a Consulting Surgeon at New York Hospital, Westchester Division, White Plains, and Consulting Surgeon at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, White Plains.

Although John's vocation was medicine, his avocation was community involvement, which started shortly after arriving back to his hometown, White Plains, to start his career and raise his family in 1960. He served the White Plains Hospital in various positions as Chief of Staff, President Medical & Dental Staff, Board of Directors, and Honorary Board of Directors. He also was involved with several other professional related organizations as President of the Medical Society of Westchester County, President of the Westchester Surgical Society, and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of Westchester Visiting Nurse Association, a Board and Executive Committee member of the Medical Malpractice Insurance Association of New York State, a member of the American Medical Association, a member of the Medical Society of State of New York and a member of the Board of the Winifred Masterson Burke Foundation.

His community involvement included being President of Westchester County Board of Health, Medical Advisory Committee of American Red Cross (Chairman), Westchester Division, American Cancer Society, Westchester Division, United Fund of White Plains, Chief Medical Officer, Civil Defense, City of White Plains, and Medical Board of City of White Plains.

John supported the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester on the Board of Directors for over 50 years and served as Chairman for three different terms. He represented the YMCA of USA traveling to international conferences in China, Hawaii, and England. He made several trips to the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester's outreach organization, YMCA in Spanish Town, Jamaica, WI. He served on the YMCA International (Outreach) Committee as member and Chairman and in various board roles. The YMCA recognized his efforts through awarding him the World Fellowship Award 1991 and the Walter Murphy Volunteer Leadership Award recipient at the YMCA USA, Key Leaders Conference 2000.

John was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of White Plains and served as President. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and he lived the Rotary motto "Service Above Self."

He was also a member of the Sons of the Revolution of New York, White Plains Masonic Lodge 473, Chi Psi Fraternity, the Escape Club, the Daniel Gray Fishing Club, former member Scarsdale Golf Club, the Bay Head Yacht Club, New Jersey and a member of the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church of White Plains.

In his free time, he enjoyed playing tennis and bridge with friends and reading historical novels and thrillers.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and three children, Pamela Mitchell and her husband John, J. Sadler Ramsdell and his wife Melissa, and Peter Ramsdell. He also is survived by seven grandchildren, Dr. Elspeth M. Holder, DVM, Barclay T. Mitchell, Tucker R. Mitchell, Carson R. Mitchell, Meghan K. Denise, Katherine P. Kerwin, and Grant H. Kerwin, and two great grandchildren, Margaret E. Denise and Penelope K. Denise. He predeceased by his brother, Edwin A. Ramsdell and infant granddaughter, Emma Mitchell.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to White Plains Hospital Foundation 41 East Post Road, White Plains, New York 10601 or the Bay Head Yacht Club Foundation, 111 Metcalfe St, Bay Head, NJ 08742.