From Dr. F. Russell Bryant
John Ramsey was one of the first people I met on arriving in Tuscaloosa in 1969. On my coming up in the summer to find a place to live, he gave a dinner party at which I met most of those in the Department with whom I would eventually be close: John Pancake, David McElroy, and Ronald Robel. At once I was impressed by the Renaissance nature of John’s outlook. He was interested in a range of serious subjects — art, literature, music and travel — as well as sporting events, at least as they pertained to the University and, of course, good food and drink. I was immediately taken with his charm, his concern about me as a new member of the Department and about his interest in his students. In the years to follow John proved a loyal friend. In fact, the thing about John I remember the most is his loyalty to friends. Once you were admitted into John’s confidence, you became a friend for life. The age of the individual did not matter. John was as at ease with undergraduates as with his colleagues in the History Department and his many admirers in the community.
His eagerness to help others, especially needy students, was legendary. No doubt, it was a factor in the fact that, when he retired, he had no savings. He was always keen to promote those he felt especially meritorious. Not surprising, he encouraged and aided many talented students to excel. Their successes made his declining years enjoyable ones for him; they gave meaning and point to the sacrifices he had made on their behalf. I remember how deeply moved he was at the success of the John Fraser Ramsey Award and its growing endowment. He was delighted that a significant sum would be available for talented students either to travel or to buy books, antiques or art. Their enjoyment gave him enjoyment.
John’s success as an academic was as remarkable as his interest in the well-being of his students. He published, chaired practically all important University committees, helped launch the Faculty Senate — serving as its first president — and was a member of the Alabama Historical Association. The latter’s top award is still named after him. His classes were popular, and his standing among students was almost legendary. Recently, one of his former students told me that his contemporaries used to brag about being spoken to by John. “Dr. Ramsey talked to me for twenty-five minutes at Little Bo’s today.” He thrived in an atmosphere in which teaching, service and research enjoyed a healthy balance.
His last class as a teacher I made a point of attending. It ended as modestly and as dignified as John had lived his life. He exiled the defeated Napoleon to St. Helena’s, quietly closed his notebook and then reminded his students of the final exam. He lingered for a moment, no doubt, reflecting on his long and extraordinary career, and then got up to leave. There was no conclusion to the course and he gave no hint of this extraordinary moment in his career. He had been able to combine teaching, scholarship and service to students into a meaningful experience for his students without distracting from his career as a successful historian. Perhaps he realized that something important to the quality of student and academic life at the Capstone was retiring with him. When all the others had left, I shook his hand and congratulated him on a job well done. He thanked me for sharing this moment with him, his engaging smile momentarily less bright that usual.
John Fraser Ramsey was a “mentor” to four generations of Capstone students. His students became his friends and then his family. It is interesting to note that “family” has become the word most associated with the Ramsey dinners. John did more than inspire students; he inspired faculty members to keep alive the legacy of believing in students and being willing to help and guide them. It is important that the University seek out and honor those of a caring, Renaissance nature who best reflect John’s outlook. That is a difficult task and may not always be possible to do. Nevertheless, it remains important that only the best young men and women have their names linked to someone as loyal to his friends and the Capstone as John was.
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