Ronald Ragsdale

A service to celebrate the life of Dr. Ronald Ragsdale will be held 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2011 at The River Community Church in Natchitoches, with Rev. Ellis Newman and Rev. Robert Jackson, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Dr. Ragsdale, 75 years of age, passed away Monday, April 18, 2011 at his residence in Natchitoches. He was born February 23, 1936 to the late Edward Eugene Ragsdale and late Carol Bernice Ragsdale in La Crosse, WI. Dr. Ragsdale earned his Doctorate Degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he met and married the love of his life, Charlotte. After graduation, he accepted a position with the University of Pittsburgh in the Learning Research and Development Center. Ron and Charlotte’s daughter, Heidi, was born during their time in Pittsburgh. After two years in Pittsburgh, he accepted a position with the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, and moved his family to Toronto, Canada. During his 29 years in Toronto, he authored several text books in education technology, and taught graduate studies in the research and development of educational technologies. He was the first editor-in-chief for The Canadian Journal of Education, and pre-eminent in his developing field of study. He retired as Professor Emeritus from OISE, and moved to Natchitoches in 1995 with his wife, to take a position teaching graduate studies at Northwestern State University of Louisiana for several years until his retirement. Ron was deeply rooted in his faith in God. He and his wife attended The River Community Church in Natchitoches, and were very active in their community. Over the years, he and Charlotte participated in mission field work abroad, and Ron was proud to serve on the board of the Church Army of Canada. Both through his academic work and his work in the church, Ron had the opportunity to travel widely over the years. He and Charlotte visited many countries, including Great Britain and most of Western Europe, as well as the Soviet Union, Scandinavia, Hungary and Iceland. Switzerland was a favourite destination, and Ron and Charlotte often returned there. In Switzerland, Ron was able to combine his love of rugged hiking (competing several times in an international Mountain Walk/Run Marathon) with his love of chocolate and cheese. Ron loved to sing, and was involved in choral music for most of his life, at one point belonging to three choirs simultaneously. His appreciation for music was varied and unprejudiced – he enjoyed almost every genre, from popular to classical, country to gospel. Anyone who knew Ron knew that he loved to find humour in everyday life. His dry wit and deadpan delivery were appreciated by his students and friends, and sometimes (but not always) his wife. He was devoted to his family, and took great joy in his grandchildren. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 48 years, Charlotte Ragsdale; daughter, Heidi Ragsdale of Toronto, Canada; grandchildren, Adam Ragsdale, Kate Stipdonk and Evan Stipdonk all of Toronto, Canada. Ron will also be remembered and deeply missed by his two surviving aunts, Lorna Connors of Oshkosh, WI and Ruth Davis of Madison, WI, and his many cousins; as well as numerous friends and professional colleagues.