Donald Bruce Ramsey

Donald Bruce Ramsey

Chester, California — Donald Bruce Ramsey, 75, died on March 7, 2025, of heart failure, at Renown South Meadows Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. He was born February 24, 1950 in St. Albans, New York, the son of Commander Ira Blaine Ramsey and Hazel Elizabeth Smethurst Ramsey.

Donald attended schools in Forest Hills, New York until the family moved to El Cajon, California in 1959. He graduated from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, then earned a BS degree and pursued graduate work in Wildlife Management at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. Donald was an expert in riparian bird ecology and other wildlife in southern California. He could identify hundreds of avian species by their calls. He transformed his large, semidesert backyard into a lush well-watered refuge, for which he was proud to receive its recognition as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. He was an avid hiker and outdoorsman. Donald was blessed with the gift of gab, and was a popular radio DJ and talk show host. He helped increase the wider circulation of five local newspapers in communities of northern California. Donald was a very agreeable, friendly person and had numerous faithful friends. In retirement he was an enthusiastic park maintenance volunteer for Chester, California, where everybody knew him as a beloved, free-spirited local personality.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Blaine Eugene(“Bud”) and Robert Elliot Ramsey, and a sister, Mary Eileen Ramsey, and a sister-in-law, Lois Lee Ramsey. Surviving are a brother, John Scott Ramsey, Perry, Iowa, sisters-in-law Ida Ramsey, El Cajon, California and Peggy White-Ramsey, San Diego, California, and several cousins, nephews, and a niece.

Friends are planning memorials in Red Bluff and Chester, California. Thanks are due to Truckee Meadows Cremation and Burial, Reno, Nevada, for courteous and helpful arrangements.