Born 4/23/1921
A long time member of Branch 16 that we all know as the man with the cigar is Ralph Ramsey. Ralph has been a member of Branch 16 since 1970 and was President of Branch 16 from 1980-1985. Ralph recalls when he got started with EDGE there were only about 15 members in Branch 16 and most of those members had gas engines and only a few members showed tractors.
Ralph remembers the days when club meetings were held at some of the member’s homes and there might be a member bring an engine to the meeting to show or to get help to make it run. After the club had out grown most member’s homes Ralph found a room at the Savings & Loan in Republic, where we could all get into for our monthly meetings.
For many years Ralph has shown his display of engines at many shows, he was one of the first members to show engines at the Springfield Farm Fest and continues to show engines to the present day. Ralph enjoys talking to people at these events.
Every year a week or so before the show you will see Ralph making and putting up signs around the show grounds trying to keep the spectators as well as the exhibitors safe.
Ralph was asked, \”How many cigars he went through in a week.\” He replied, \”Not many, maybe a box a week. \”Ralph started chewing on cigars back in the 1940s. I don\’t think we would recognize Ralph if we didn\’t see him with a cigar in his mouth. When he starts chewing on his cigar that indicates that the wheels are turning in his head. I have never seen one lit.
Ralph also spent many years on the old Route 66. He owned a service station for many years and then worked for Central Dodge as a parts man for several years. Both of the businesses were on the old Route 66 that went through down town Springfield, MO. Ralph deserves the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.