Thomas J. Ramrath

 Remembering Tom

Berlin, Germany

It was 1944. Tom was a two-year-old blond German-American boy. His German father had become an American citizen before returning to Germany in 1939. Now, with bombs bursting over their family apartment at 15 Breitenbachplatz in the suburbs of Berlin, the family's days and, especially, nights were perilous. "More boom-boom!" young Tom sang out, echoing the terrifying blasts that continued to disrupt the night. The family often scrambled to hide underground in the subway station. At one point, the apartment just next door to theirs was demolished by a bomb. 

After Berlin fell to the Allies and the Russians moved in, the charming blond Tommy, now about four years of age, was sent out to procure food from the Russian soldiers. His soliciting brought rewards and praise, and the family was able to hold on day by day, often aided Tom's elder brother Frank's connections to the black market.

Was it his early exposure to Russians, bombs and planes flying overhead that provoked Tom's eternal curiosity with weapons of war, his love for international travel, and his fascination with fast cars and airplanes? 

Tom likes to tell the story of his first good spanking. Still in Berlin, he was about three years old, and he took his then one-year old sister Elizabeth by the hand and led her down the stairs to the Breitenbachplatz park. The two were so thrilled to be outside playing in the grass that they removed their shoes, placing them carefully on the wall. Alas, when they returned to retrieve them, both tiny pairs of shoes were gone! The loss of two pairs of children's shoes was a hardship for the family; Tom's mother gave him a good spanking for his lapse, one that he never forgot.

All six family members would survive the war. With a powerful strength of character and a firm bond of love between them, Joseph Ramrath, his beautiful wife Mathilde and their four children, Frank and Eleanor, Thomas and Elizabeth, fled war-torn Germany in two groups of three to settle in the United States. Tom was five years old when he and his mother and sister Elizabeth made the transatlantic journey by ocean liner. Tom's lasting memory of that trip included eagerly biting off a chunk of his first whole orange, peel and all! 

Boston, Massachusetts

The Ramrath family eventually settled in the Mattapan neighborhood of the Boston suburbs. Tom graduated from Hyde Park High School and worked in the Boston area for a few years where he met, fell in love with and, in 1962, wed Loretta Melone, "LuLu." At her urging, Tom enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. 

The U. S. Air Force

Everything changed for the young couple with Tom's new career in the Air Force which would span 24 years and eventually honor him with the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Commendation medal, and the Good Conduct medal. Tom and Lu made friends all along the way, both at work and at play. Many of them remained friends for life.

Tom was often TDY as a young recruit. First it was basic training in Texas in 1962, then technical and maintenance schools in Mississippi, and then remote communications squadron in frosty Newfoundland in 1963-64. Tom always recalled with special fondness the Heineken beer company whose pilots flew in a special shipment of their fine lager to the ice-bound, isolated squadron when the well went dry. Imagine the cheers!

The military life with its itinerant nature was tough on the young Ramrath family. Leaving good friends behind and struggling along with poor pay were difficult. In order to make ends meet, Loretta, who loved to cook her Italian family recipes, and Tom, hosted Friday night Pinochle parties for young fellow recruits. Everybody chipped in to buy the meal and the beer! 

March Air Force Base, Riverside, CA

Tom and Lu took the road to California where, in 1964, Tom was stationed in Riverside. They rented a charming three-bedroom home with a pool, and life was good. Soon Lulu's sisters moved in with Tom, Lu and their German Shepherd dog, Max. Judy, recently divorced, moved in first with her four offspring, and then Delores with her three children and "one in the oven" (Tom's words) and soon to be born. The swimming pool was a favorite spot for the kids and the dog, especially with only one bathroom for four adults, seven kids and a baby. Tom taught young Wally and Steve to play chess, and soon Wally was outfoxing his teacher! But the tight quarters finally became unbearable for Tom and Loretta, so they moved out to find their own apartment, leaving the nice house to the remaining family members!

Sacramento

In 1967 Tom attended Sacramento State College as an undergraduate where his lasting friendship with Bill Ragsdale, a fellow undergrad, began. They also soon met others in Sacramento who would become lifelong friends, fellow members of the Corvette Club. Showing and racing their almost-new Marina blue 1965 Corvette Stingray, Lu and Tom hung out with other Corvette fans--the Hammers, Bowdens, Fleigs, Armeses, and Tepolts. The bunch became like a family, with friendships that spanned decades. 

In the landmark year of 1970, Tom graduated with honors from Cal State (now Cal State University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Along with his friend Bill Ragsdale, Tom then became a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, and then a commissioned officer in May of that year. 

He and Bill both attended graduate school at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio where Tom received a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1972. While living in Dayton, Lu's young nieces, Donna and Debby Klein, ages 11 and 12, joined Tom and Lu's household again for a couple of years. It was a big change for all of them, with many bumps and adjustments on both sides. But mutual love and respect built a strong bond among them, for life. 

McClellan AFB, Sacramento

AFTAC Years: from 1972 to 1978 Tom was assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, as chief of engineering for the atmospheric sampling systems program, supporting the Atomic Energy Detection System's worldwide mission and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. He obtained top secret security clearance. The work took him to Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East, working with diverse federal agencies. He once had the dubious honor of accepting a personal dinner invitation from the Shah of Iran, truly a night to remember. Tom described the Shah as charming and urbane.

Nellis AFB, Nevada

In 1978 Captain Ramrath was reassigned to the 554 Range Group at Nellis AFB in Nevada where he worked as a program manager, converting the military operation to a civilian contract. He and Lu made lifetime friends, Hesh and Bobbi Altman and Ralph and Barbara Wick.

Space Division, Los Angeles

 From October 1983 to April 1985, Tom had the honor of serving in the Air Force Space division as deputy director of payload acquisition for the MILSTAR Program in Los Angeles, then as program manager for FLEETSAT, a joint Navy-Air Force communications satellite. Tom and Loretta made more wonderful friends--Art Ritter, Craig Vaughan and Paul Huffman.

In 1984 Tom and Lu's life was brought to a tragic standstill when Lu was diagnosed with cancer. Her diagnosis came as a total shock, as her only symptom was a back ache. Within a few months she had lost her struggle with cancer. Her memorial service took place in Sacramento where she was buried and where throngs of loving friends and family came to celebrate her life. 

Still reeling after losing his wife so precipitously to cancer, fate chose to bring niece Debby and Tom together again. Debby's life had become troubled, and Tom helped point her in the right direction and get her back on her feet. She has been forever grateful to her Uncle Tom for stepping up, with open arms, many times over, to save the day.

Two years passed by. A few months before his retirement in 1986, Tom accepted an invitation to a going-away party for a colleague. That fateful night he was virtually dragged across the hall to meet a small curly brunette playing pool (very poorly) with few of the guys, her tight black jeans prominent as she leaned over the table to hit a tough shot. Mutual friends Al and Bobbi Perry introduced Tom to Jeri, and a new life was on its way for them both.

Tom retired with the rank of major in September of 1986. His service in the Air Force had instilled in Tom a respect for the sanctity of a soldier's bond, shared mutual support. He carried this principle into all his work situations, creating a lasting bond between himself and many of his coworkers over the years. His social and family relationships benefitted from this principle as well--Tom was always there to lend a hand to a friend, a relative or a coworker in need. 

In September, Tom and Jeri took an unforgettable ten-day trip in a borrowed motorhome to the Grand Canyon with Dax, Tom's beloved German Shepherd dog. Life was good!

Las Vegas, Nevada

Tom's first post-retirement job was with EG&G, a successful high technology engineering firm founded in the 1930s by three scientists from MIT, Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier. Starting in October of 1986, Tom worked out of Las Vegas, Nevada, as a program manager for EG&G Special Projects. 

Tom and Jeri were wed in at the Alexis Park in Las Vegas, Nevada June 18, 1988. They relocated in 1990 to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Tom worked first as General Manager of EG&G Special Projects and then as Vice President of EG&G MSI Albuquerque Operations. His projects took him to Europe, Egypt, India and Latin America. He relished the work, the problem-solving, the travel.

Albuquerque

In 1991 Tom and Jeri bought a house in Albuquerque where they were to enjoy life for over 30 years together. Little did they know that it was to be the longest stay in any one place for either of them, in their lifetimes.

In 1999 Tom's sister Eleanor published her acclaimed "Eleanor's Story," a beautifully written memoir of the family's years in Germany during World War II. This same year Tom retired from EG&G and took a job with FastMetrix, a small high technology firm headed by Gary Kamerman, out of Huntsville, Alabama. Tom and his good friends, Paul Freedman and Clark Harris, worked remotely and traveled for FastMetrix for many years. Their projects often required special security clearance.

Tom and Jeri remained in Albuquerque where the lifestyle suited them both. They attended symphony orchestra performances. They made more good friends. They took a timeshare in Kauai where they fell in love with Hanalei Bay. Tom became a certified SCUBA diver and learned to love the undersea world. He went diving with his brother-in-law, Cary Betts, in the splendid waters off the coast of Kauai, and with his good friend Gary Kamerman in other fabulous diving spots. They bought a townhome in Pagosa Springs, Colorado where they hiked with their dogs, Sarah and Casey, Riley and Spot, skied at Wolf Creek, and drank beer with the locals. At home, Tom loved to take a morning run with the dogs in the foothills open space. 

In 2013 Tom had open heart surgery. Soon fully recovered and healthier than ever, he continued to play tennis doubles three times a week, and occasionally skied, dived and golfed, until in 2018 he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent chemotherapy. That same difficult year, he was also diagnosed with primary progressive dementia. Tom maintained a healthy lifestyle until it was no longer possible for him to take part in physical exercise. He passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024 at the age of 82.

Eulogy - Points in Time

Born January 18, 1942 at home, in the suburbs of Berlin, Germany

In 1947 the Ramrath family fled Germany and settled in Mattapan in the Boston suburbs.

Tom graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1959.

In 1962 Tom married Loretta Melone. He joined the Air Force that same year.

1970: received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering with honors from Sacramento State College; attended Officer Training School; became a commissioned officer.

In 1972 Tom received a Master's of Science electrical engineering degree from Air Force Institute of Technology.

In 1984 Loretta, Tom's beloved wife of 22 years, passed away with cancer. 

1986 - Tom retired from the Air Force with the Meritorious Service Medal, the Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

1986 - Tom took a position with EG&G in October of 1986, in Las Vegas, NV.

1988 - Tom and Jeri were wed in Las Vegas.

In 1990 Tom moved to Albuquerque for Tom's new position at EG&G. 

From 1994 to 1999 he served as Vice President of EG&G MSI, Albuquerque Operations.

He retired from EG&G in 1999 and soon began working remotely for FastMetrix on numerous high technology projects spanning over a decade. 

In 2018 Tom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and primary progressive dementia.

Tom passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, with his wife Jeri by his side and his family with him in prayers.

What Tom Loved, in a nutshell

Tom was devoted to his family and friends. 

He was someone to turn to when you needed a hand, a honey-do, or a big favor such as traveling 300 miles and helping you move houses. 

He was a hard worker and was well organized in his work. He thought ahead. He was an expert at packing.

He liked to repair things, an engineer at heart.

He relished family reunions and enjoyed any kind of party. 

German lager and dry martinis were his beverages of choice. 

He loved to travel and especially enjoyed Europe, Egypt, Thailand and Kauai. 

Fast cars and airplanes never failed to fascinate him, and his knowledge of them was nearly encyclopedic.

He appreciated big dogs and an occasional small one. 

He got teary-eyed at the Olympic awards. 

He loved biking, boating, skiing, tennis, hiking with the dogs, especially in Pagosa Springs, and was a loyal supporter of our National Parks. 

He enjoyed almost any form of competition, from Pinochle to racquetball. (But please don't talk to him about Acey-deucy.) 

Tom read lots of books and he especially loved to read history; he always had at least two books open at once, one fiction, one nonfiction. 

He liked to clown around and was a notorious smart Alec. 

He enjoyed James Bond, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies. 

He had an amazingly keen and quick response to physical threats, large or small.

A good morning kiss, a goodnight kiss, or just a kiss, made Tom happy. 

Memories of Thomas Ramrath

Tom, beloved brother died today, July 3, 2024, after 81 years of living a rich life filled full of joy, travel, two happy marriages, 20 years of service to this country, and another number of years as an engineer. You left a hole in my heart as memories flooded my being. I remember when you were born in 1943, in Berlin, Germany in the midst of WWII with bombings, killings, loss of homes and beloved family members. I loved this innocent little boy who cried, on a night we were called to the cellar “more boom, boom” jumping up and down in your bed, opening your arms to be picked up out of your crib. Over the years of your childhood, into adulthood, we saw each other sporadically. But when we did, you were always the life of the party filled with laughter and great spirit. I will miss you Tommy for the rest of my life until when we see each other again. 

 ~Eleanor Ramrath Garner - sister

“One of my memories of Tom is: one time I was watching him race his corvette in a parking lot and asked him if I could ride with him. He said OK. Well that was an eye opener for me because when I got out after couple of laps my neck was sore for several days. It was hard to hold my head up around those sharp fast corners. He was one good corvette driver.”

 ~Bill Ragsdale – colleague & friend

What I remember is Tom got me started in baseball which became a HUGE part of my life. It got me a full ride scholarship to college, and I am still involved in baseball to this day running tournaments. Another thing I remember is he got me interested in math which led to me getting a math minor in college. He taught me how to play chess. I developed a great love for the board game. He entered me in a city-wide chess tournament in Riverside which I won. I always thought Uncle Tom was the smartest man in the world. Having him in my life when I was young played a big part in who I am now. I loved that man.

 ~Wally Knight – nephew

I remember Uncle Tom full of 'piss and vinegar", as they say, brimming with vitality and energy. Of course, nothing expressed that energy better than his racing Corvette! I remember one time down in Vegas he threw me the keys and said, take her for a spin! The car had so much power I couldn’t even get it into gear because, I kept popping the clutch. Later I remember him telling his stories about Vietnam. He said his group had ventured into Laos, while America was never “officially” there. They were packing out opium so as to curry favor with the local warlords. He also said they had set up a communications tower on a hilltop. And I asked him, what’s to stop the enemy from lobbing a bomb into it, and he said, nothing really except that we gave them a channel for their own to use. He had a lot of interesting inside stories about the war. I guess theses aren’t sweet eulogy memories, they are albeit the first memories that pop into my mind. I am his namesake and miss him dearly. 

 ~Tom Garner – nephew

your uncle was a good, good friend to me – he was involved in so many cutting-edge technology and missions that I still can’t talk about they are so classified. One thing I can tell you about is when Gary Powers, an American pilot whose Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Lockheed U-2 spy plane was shot down while flying a reconnaissance mission deep inside in Soviet Union airspace, causing the 1960 U-2 incident, was captured and later released in a prisoner exchange. That flight was a dangerous, but productive, Air Force Nuclear Air Sample Intelligence operation mission Tom was in charge of conducting, Operation Overflight. 

 ~Gary Kamerman – colleague & friend

We all, Uschi, Hans-Dieter, Bernhard and Jenny shared some very enjoyable days with Tom and Jeri. Bernhard and I had also the great pleasure to stay at their house in Pagosa Springs! We are very grateful for Tom and Jeris warmest hospitality!

 ~ Breuinger family – cousins

A good-humored gem and a total character.

 ~Ingrid Garner – great niece

I always say he was the only man I ever met who, literally, gave me the shirt off his back. My first memory of him was in Maine as an 8-year-old. I was shivering on Joe’s boat. He noticed and took his shirt off for me to wear. He was the best, and we were so lucky to have him. 

 ~Katy French – great niece

We have been friends of Tom and Jeri from the first moment they met. In fact, we introduced them to each other. Tom was at an Air Force party that my husband and I had invited Jeri to attend. Tom came over to say hi to Al and I. Al suggested that Tom go over and introduce himself to Bobbi’s old college roommate. I don’t think Tom was thrilled at meeting “my old college friend”, but being the gentlemen he was he followed me, and I introduced them. The notable thing is that Jeri was and is a beautiful women and men initially rarely notice how extraordinarily smart and kind a person she is.. Tom got it right away. He came back to Al and me 15 minutes later and said “Wow, she’s really bright.” That was the kind of man Tom was and they loved and cared for one another for the rest of their lives together. Tom was a “good guy in every way” and we are grateful that he was Jeri’s husband and our good friend.

~ Bobbi and Al Perry – Friends how they met 

I am reminded of Tom often. One-night years ago my husband, Stan, and I were out to dinner with Tom and Jeri. I was complaining about the amount of junk emails I get daily. Tom pointed out that clicking "Spam" at the top of my email screen should take care of that. Thank you, Tom, problem solved! I think of Tom as a very practical guy. I've known Jeri since college and am grateful that Tom was such a great partner for her. We will miss him.

 ~Andy Ornstein – friend

Our favorite memory of Tom is Halloween at the three-story house by the river. He had electric light experience due to his military service. He did the lighting for the entire house, and it was out of sight! We have many memories of Tom but that is our favorite.

 ~ Larry & Arlene Armes - Friend

Well, we really weren't around Tom very much, however when he and Jeri would take their yearly Thanksgiving week-end trek they would stop by and spend the night and next morning with us. It was so nice just to sit around and talk with them and learn what an interesting life Tom had and his dry and sometimes wry sense of humor. I did some editing on a poem and would like to share it. It has been read a thousand times but still holds true. You can shed tear that he is gone, or you can close your eyes and pray he will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all he has left. You can remember him only that he is gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. Goodbye to you Tom. Thanks for loving and taking such good care of our Jeri.

~Cindy & Jim Benson ~Jeri’s Sister and Brother-in-law 

This is probably the hardest post to do for me, yet I want to share with you my joy of having known Thomas J. Ramrath and my grief that he is no longer with us ... I've done a few hard posts over the years, but this is without a doubt the hardest so far.

Although it has been known since February 2018 when Uncle Tom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma that his time here was going to be cut short, you are not ever prepared when the final moment occurs.

Uncle Tom was my surrogate Father who has been in my life for most of my 66 years and he was only 82 himself! He put up with me as a youngster and as a snarky teenager, he gave me away on my wedding day and was a surrogate Grandfather to our sons welcoming their beautiful brides. He was a loving mentor to my husband and shared a unique bond with my BIL’s & SIL’s as he spent many years in the Middle East in the Air Force where they grew up -- now he has passed. He went quietly to his sleep today, July 3, 2024, at 2:45pm with his loving wife, Jeri by his side in Albuquerque where they have resided for the past 30 years. I am comforted that I was able to spend some quality time and have many conversations with him over these years since that fateful diagnosis that took him from us early.

Growing up my biological Dad had his health issues and I lost him at a young age, my Uncle Tom stepped in to help raise me (and that was probably part of the reason he never had children of his own LOL) ... he meant so much to me, I always thought he was the smartest man on the planet and he was my prototype for a husband – a lot for Raffy to live up to! He was my anchor when the going got tough, my voice of reason when the world got confusing, my mentor and my protector and my example of a leader. He was confident, proud, strong and so intelligent; he had an edge to him that could be prickly, but you always knew his love for you, he was a great man and such a large part of my childhood and my adulthood.

Uncle Tom has been an ear and shoulder to all his nieces and nephews and we each share a special bond with him. My top stories that come to mind represent the huge presence he had in my life. As far as I can remember he was there in my life greeting me with “hello kid!” “what’s going on kid?” “what are you doing with your life kid?” “hang in there kid” and of course, “love you kid!”

I am reminded that we don't have to do all of life alone, that we have each other, and I am grateful for all the prayers that have come my way as I transition to his loss, I don't say in grief he is no more, but in joy that he was!!!

Tom's spirit animal was the Wolf and the Eagle, and he is survived by his loving wife Jeri (as he lovingly called the curly haired girl) and his 94-year-old sister Eleanor Garner and preceded by his brother Frank, sister Elizabeth, parents and first wife Loretta (LuLu), my biological mothers sister. He leaves a large family of adoring nieces, nephews and their spouses, along with many great nieces & nephews who admired and loved him, as well as many more family and friends.

RIP as you get your wings Uncle Tom.

Say Hello to your parents, siblings and Aunt Lulu

Much love, your kid, Deb 

 ~Debby Afarian (Klein) – niece

"A life well lived is a blessing, and the memory a treasure." I was truly fortunate to have met Uncle Tom on several occasions over the seventeen years that I have known him. Out of all the memories I hold dear, the fondest involves both Uncle Tom and my late mom. It was during one of Uncle Tom's visits to California, a time when my mom was visiting from Jordan. We had Uncle Tom and Aunt Jeri over for a gathering, and I will never forget the excitement in Uncle Tom's eyes as he shared stories with my mom about his memories of a secret mission with the US Air Force in Jordan. This moment was even more special because my late father had served in the Special Forces in Jordan, creating a unique and heartfelt connection between their experiences. They reminisced about the places Uncle Tom had been, wondering if those places still existed, and they tested his memory with street names and landmarks. I can vividly picture Uncle Tom earnestly trying to pronounce the names of cities, his face lighting up as he recalled the delicious food he had enjoyed in Jordan, and the passionate way he recounted how he had spent his days there. The room was filled with warmth and nostalgia, creating a beautiful and unforgettable evening. Uncle Tom was incredibly patriotic and proud to have served his country as a veteran. His love for his country and his service were evident in the way he spoke, with a deep sense of pride and dedication. That evening, filled with laughter, stories, and shared memories, stands out as a testament to Uncle Tom's remarkable life and the cherished moments we were lucky enough to share with him. Uncle Tom was deeply loved by all who knew him, and his absence will be profoundly felt. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him, leaving behind a legacy of love, honor, and cherished memories.

With love,

Rita, Ara and Christine Afarian

Uncle Thomas has been an integral part of our family for as long as I can remember. We LOVED his visits as children. We always did, but probably especially when he showed up in his handsome Air Force uniform!

Even once he moved away from the Boston area, he visited as often as he could, and ALWAYS made time for us!

Once we were grown and had our own families, that never changed. Whether here in N.E. or out in Albuquerque, he was always the “Favorite Unc” (even if the only one!), adored by his siblings, by our generation and our children as well!

We will all miss him more than we can say. He will forever be in our hearts. 

-Karen, Dave, & Family

Tom had an aversion to clutter. If not careful, packrat Jeri would search for a newspaper or something else she'd not finished with, only to discover Tom had already recycled it. But all in all, they were extremely compatible. One night some years back, as we enjoyed a glass or two of wine, he enjoyed reminiscing about the admirable traits he loved about her. One which initially attracted him was her ability to chat about a vast range of topics, easily relating to anyone from his AF superior to the waiter serving them. Throughout the years Tom and Jeri shared many interests and grew together comfortably, making each other very happy. Oh, if everyone could know such a life!

-Judy Cato

Here is the memory of Tom and Jeri that makes me smile every time.

I loved hearing her call him Tommy. I could just feel the love between them, a young and playful love that will endure forever. 

-Vicki Williams

Tom and I are the same age with similar ancestry. We enjoyed comparing our youth, drinking a beer, even speaking German occasionally. We traveled, stayed in Pagosa, and played tennis. I sincerely say Tom was my friend.

-Hugh Burgess

Remembering Tom

Though I can’t recall the very first time I met Tom, which was either just before or after Joe and I were married, I do remember that I liked him immediately. He had that twinkle in his eye that we all know, along with that other ‘something’ that we all know, too – an emotional intelligence that reached beyond the norm. He ‘got’ things. His matter-of-fact style, keen observation skills, and accurate intuition, combined with his endearing humor made him such an incredible person to be around.

Over the many years that I have been in the Ramrath family, Tom was always easy to connect with. Because the family was so close, we saw him often. Tom and Jeri were always welcoming to Joe, me and the kids when we visited his home in various locations. Our visits to Las Vegas, Pagosa, and Albuquerque, San Diego with the aunties were some of the most memorable and happy times with Tom.

Talking to Tom was always uplifting, fun, yet profound. Tom had a way of making meaningful conversations and making people feel seen and heard. He was always 'present' with me and my girls and made an effort to connect with each of them at family functions throughout the years. Tom was special. We’ll all miss him so much.

While we were living on the west coast, Joe and I were privileged to have seen him with Lulu a few times toward the end of her life. During that time, we witnessed Tom’s caring and love for her, as well as the courage he possessed to get through that difficult period.

But later on, we witnessed Tom’s great happiness as we celebrated his and Jeri’s wedding. The whole family attended this joyous event. Tom and Jeri’s sparkle were contagious!

As I reflect on Tom, I recall hearing about how Tom took Debbie A. under his wing at a particularly vulnerable time, offering her a solid foundation to embark on her adult life. Although Tom was not a biological father, he surely had the instincts and commitment of an outstanding mentor and parental figure. That story has always impressed me.

I’m sure I’m not wrong to say that Tom’s innate sense of people touched many of us - through the validation, encouragement, and support he would discreetly offer at various times in our lives. I recall one time, especially, when Tom’s advice and encouragement was immensely helpful to me.

Tom's legacy of kindness, understanding, and unwavering support will forever be cherished. He was not just a part of our family; he was a cornerstone of love and strength. His memory will live on in all our hearts, I’m sure, reminding us of the incredible person he was and the profound impact he had on our family.

 by Debi Ramrath

I think many who knew Tom thought of him as something of a prankster and a tough guy. He seemed to like to nurture that image. But, of course, Tom was much more than that. In addition to his great intellect and curiosity about all things, Tom had a very sensitive side to him. He was a man of great emotional intelligence and sensed when people around him were in need. And he was always standing by to be there for someone else.

I remember vividly one occasion of Tom’s concern for others. It was really kind of a non-event, but it was quite memorable for me. It was at the time of our family reunion in 1998. It was late one afternoon, and everyone was gathered having fun and a cocktail in our house and on the deck while I was out back tending dinner on the charcoal grill. I have to admit, I was feeling a little sorry for myself as I was left alone with the work of preparing dinner.

After a few minutes, however, Tom noticed my situation. He must have been looking because I was well out of sight of the crowd. In any event, he brought me a beer and just started to chat as I did my work. And there he stayed until all the chicken was done.

As I said, a very minor incident, but memorable. And it demonstrated to me the way Tom always noticed and reacted to those around him. He is deeply missed. . ...

-Joe Ramrath (nephew)

We all know Tom was an exceptional person for many reasons. Here's mine... when someone makes one of the people you love most in the world happy, you treasure that person Tom and Jeri's decades of love tell that beautiful story.Tom was part of the greatest adventures of my life - a trip to Paris with my cousin, Jeri!! Tom, Jeri, Jim and I tirelessly explored the incredible city. The picture forever etched in my mind is when we had finished an amazing dinner, stepped onto the wonderful Parisian street, turned and .... Voilà! The glittering Eiffel Tower illuminated the unforgettable night sky. What a breath-taking sight to share.

We are blessed to know that those who live in our hearts and memories are never truly gone.

-Kathy Drylie (Jeri’s cousin)

In Loving Memory of Uncle Thomas

I was so glad to see Uncle Thomas at our 2021 Family Reunion in Maine. I took that opportunity, thinking it would be his last trip East, to thank him for his interactions with our family. Uncle Thomas wore his military dress uniform and gave a reading at our wedding. He shared good times with Rob while Rob was growing up. He got the title “cool Uncle” because he bought Rob a subscription to Playboy magazine for many years—something his mom never quite forgave him for! He took Tyler and Rob for a ride in his Corvette, which they dubbed the 'Tom's Vet,' and took them shooting too, always making sure they aimed at the right targets (mostly).

He had this magical ability to talk to kids at their worst or most confused stage, often breaking the ice with his signature smile, laugh, and shifty eyebrows. His humor never failed to lighten the mood.

Uncle Thomas was the kind of person who could turn a family gathering into a memorable adventure, whether it was through his unexpected point of view or his way of making everyone feel special.

He was on the board of directors of the "Raincoat Company" too, wasn't he? We talked about that family business that never came to fruition. The banter was fun. (You might have to ask Eleanor about that story.) I’m so thankful to Tom for all his love, laughter, and wisdom. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy of joy and good humor live on in all of us.

With love, respect, and a smile,

-Linda Ramrath, Niece 

Uncle Thomas is a powerful memory in my life. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say he was something of a hero figure to me. I recall him being perhaps the coolest and most together person that I knew in my youth. From maybe 6 or 7 years old through to my college years, I was inspired by his interesting, exciting and cool life. He had a 1965 Corvette that was in pristine condition. I remember I bragged to my friends as to how many coats of paint and lacquer that it had, even being able to say how many times it was buffed between coats. It had factory side pipes and knock-off wheels. Impressively, when I went to visit him in Sacramento for two weeks after I graduated from high school, he let me drive that Corvette. What an unbelievable gesture of trust and love. He, Lulu, his 120 lb German Shepherd Dax and I went camping in the mountains near Lake Tahoe. Importantly we brought his two dirt bikes. A Yamaha DT175 2-stroke which he rode and a little Honda SL100 4-stroke that I rode. We conquered the Rubicon Trail together, literally. What an amazing thing that was to be able to brag to my dirt biking friends back east that I did the Rubicon Trail, especially on a little tiddler like that Honda. I was riding sophisticated European dirt bikes at home.

He took me to his Air Force base as he was full-time Air Force at the time, I believe he was a captain at that point. I was stunned as we drove through the gates of the Air Force base and the enlisted men at the security checkpoint snapped to attention and gave him a salute. How cool is that! The guest room bed in Sacramento was a waterbed no less. Even the concept of a waterbed was foreign to me, let alone the reality of sleeping in one. He lent me his 1978 (brand new) Oldsmobile Cutlass Limited Edition for me to drive to your Yosemite National Park. He handed me the ignition key only, and off I went. I was a Ford man and ignition keys on Fords unlock the doors but not the trunk. So I thought I was all set. I found out the hard way that on General Motors cars, the trunk key and the door key are the same but the ignition key does not open the doors. So when I got out of the car, of course I locked the doors. That's how I found out how GM keys work. I grabbed a coat hanger from a nearby motorhome and gashed up the weather stripping getting that darn car unlocked, but I was able to do it. Tom and Lulu were completely cool with the whole thing and said it was completely their fault. How cool is that! And of course, his pool table was to die for…

Many years prior to that visit, I remember a visit that he made to us after driving across the country. He visited us at our Falcon Street house in Needham. He drove across the country with his buddy Bill Ragsdale in a huge Oldsmobile Toronado. He bragged about doing burnouts with it, except it was a front wheel drive car and he loved the smoke drifting past the front windows. He bragged about the car’s cruise control, also something completely foreign to me. He talked about curling up on the seat and doing nothing but having to steer the car as he drove across the country.

Even earlier than that visit, was a visit from him when I was staying at Omi’s house for a week during the summer. I was probably 6 or 7 years old. Omi did her best to show me a good time taking me to all sorts of places throughout Boston like Boston common, Boston gardens, and the zoo. But Thomas came over, he still lived in Massachusetts at that point, with his corvette. He took me to a garage where one of his buddies was helping him work on a problem with the speedometer. The car was on the lift and he asked me to rotate the front tire as fast as I could. That was a complete thrill and I couldn't stop talking about it throughout the whole vacation as well as afterwards. I remember Omi grousing that she had worked so hard to show me so many sites and that all I could talk about was spinning the wheel on Thomas's Corvette. Such are the things that matter to a young boy!

And of course, going to the complete other end of the spectrum Thomas was in my wedding party as a groomsman. He wore his dress Air Force uniform and I was so proud to see him in that. Years later, Tyler and I visited him and Jeri in Albuquerque while there on business. He was so wonderful with Tyler. He took him shooting while I was at meetings and showed him many of the sites. He was so good with kids.

Finally, I so enjoyed him at the 2021 family reunion at Joe's Place in Maine. We all know that as people age, their filter gets virtually eliminated as they speak whatever is on their mind. I thought Thomas was absolutely riotous and I enjoyed every comment that he made, especially when he was irritated by something. We were doing family pictures behind the lodge where everybody was staying and we all know how those sessions go. Lots of rearranging, waiting for people to get ready, and Tom found the delays and machinations of this activity completely intolerable and let everybody know it. It was an absolute hoot to listen to him. I suppose I should have sat down with Thomas and told him these things and I'm sorry I didn't. Life happens so fast and I just didn’t think of it. Being a very good man who led a very good life, I most certainly would think that he hears me now and can smile at all the memories that he gave me. I love you Tom and may you rest in God's peace.

-Rob Ramrath (nephew)

New Year's Eve with Uncle Tom

One of the best memories I have of Uncle Tom is the visit we made to Albuquerque over Christmas break in 2003. At the time, I was grateful to have a week off from teaching and mothering, while Jim was eager to explore the Southwest. Ingrid was 10 years old, and we were excited to have family to visit in New Mexico. Our gracious hosts welcomed us and showed us to our room where a black cat kept guard on the double bed like a sentinel. Tom’s warm-hearted manner, playful spirit and hearty goodwill are evident in this account from my journal.

 Albuquerque January 2003

We drive to Sandia Mountain and take an aerial tram up the dark silent slope to the lighted restaurant at the top. The ride is rapid, smooth and effortless. Below, the lights of Albuquerque are clear and scintillating, like a quilt of colored jewels spread over the land. The dimly seen cliffs are timeless, imposing, with a frosting of snow and a trim of pine trees. The observation deck is chill and windy, but the restaurant is warm and inviting. We crowd into a table and Uncle Tom welcomes us with a toast. We all enjoy a glass of wine and sample antipasto, while Ingrid drinks her milk with a straw. We grownups enjoy salmon with mango sauce and filet mignon while Ingrid plays with her curly French fries like a happy little kid. We ponder the future-what will 2003 bring? We order chocolate cake with raspberries, and cheesecake with caramel sauce, sharing them together. Ingrid has many questions for her animal-expert auntie Jeri. Uncle Tom and Ingrid jovially tease each other and the two of them leave the restaurant with their arms around each other. We pile into the tram and glide back down the mountain. 

Back at the house, we all put on our pajamas. Aunt Jeri sets out a game of Scrabble and we fill up our trays, drifting along through the evening by placing our little wooden squares on the pink and blue spaces. Jim scores big by spelling FEZ on triple word score.

Just before midnight, Tom affably pours his preserved champagne into a set of new long-stemmed glasses with colored columns. Ingrid and I count down to midnight as the Times Square Ball drops on TV. We all heartily cheer “Happy New Year!” and the couples kiss. Ingrid hugs the grownups, happy at the start of a new year.

We were lucky to have Uncle Tom in our family and in our lives and I honor the devotion and care Jeri has given so selflessly to their marriage.

-Christina Garner

Remembrance of Thomas Ramrath- 8/5/24 

Uncle Thomas loved Albuquerque and resisted all suggestions to move closer to family in either Boston or Los Angeles. During a walk in the hills near his home one January morning in 2020 he eloquently explained why (despite some aphasia). At that moment, the sun, clouds, and mountains created breathtakingly beautiful vistas of the Old West that reflected the wide-open opportunities, independence, and pioneering spirit that defined his whole life. He said he could not leave this. Thomas had a special fascination for technology that led to a distinguished career in engineering. It also helped propel me into the field. For example, in my early teens he generously invited me for a visit to Riverside, California and took me to see super exciting quarter-mile drag races. These gave me a lifelong interest in thermodynamics, dynamics and systems. I felt honored when, 20 years later, he actually offered me a job as an engineer in Albuquerque. I will never forget Uncle Thomas because has been such an important role model for my life.

-Jim Garner