On the left, Bob Ramsdell is pictured sitting by the gun mount of a ship. (Photo courtesy by Bob and Jo Ramsdell) On the right, Bob Ramsdell is pictured in front getting a shot with other recruits getting ready for physicals in Detroit. (Photo from Bob Ramsdell’s Navy yearbook)
(Photo courtesy of Bob and Jo Ramsdell)
By Bob’s wife, Jo (Woolrich) Miller Ramsdell
Bip (aka: Bob, Beau & Bear) was born July 14, 1947 as Robert Louis Ramsdell. He is the son of Harold Elbert and Arlene Etta (Hitzfield) Ramsdell. Harold began to build their house at 8051 South 36th St. in Scotts, Michigan that same year. This is the setting for many of Bip’s adventures. Bip is a 1966 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School. When Bob and his wife Jo first met in 2003, Jo was captivated by Bob’s childhood stories and decided they must be written down for future generations to enjoy. The series of Jo’s articles were published in the Climax Crescent and later were turned into two books - “Welcome To Bip’s World,” and “The History Of Bip’s World.”
With Veterans Day approaching, we are publishing one of Jo’s stories that offers a lighter side before Bip went into the military.
Bip, Beau, then Bob: recruit
If you have had the opportunity to read the Bip Books: “Welcome to Bip’s World” and “History of Bip’s World.” you are already familiar with the small redhead boy, with freckles scattered across his nose. A blend of “Tom Sawyer” and “Huck Finn.” our barefoot Bip enjoyed the freedom to explore the countryside surrounding his small town of Scotts, Michigan. The outlying marshes, streams, and woodlands fueled his creative imagination and became the backdrop for his numerous adventures.
As Bip grew and changed, so did his name. By the teen years, his peers began calling him Beau, and his adventures became a tad more sophisticated.
Beau’s father, who had been struck by lightning, suddenly died about three years later, in 1966, of a massive heart attack. That was in January of Beau’s senior year. By May, as the Vietnam War raged on, and realizing that it was just a matter of time before he would be drafted into military service, Beau was forced to make some major decisions. After several friends, who had been drafted into the army, returned home in body bags, Beau decided he wanted to take his chances with another branch of service. Enlisting in the U. S. Navy, Beau was ordered to report to the Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit for his military entrance physical the month before graduation.
Boarding a bus in Kalamazoo with numerous other recruits, Beau was transported across state for the day. Entering an old brick building, the guys were filed down a dimly lit corridor to a large room filled with doctors and nurses. Stripped down to their t-shirts and skivvies, those boys stood in a long line, waiting their turn to be poked and prodded. After being stuck with countless needles, and after answering a list of medical questions, the word “Passed” was stamped on their papers.
Exiting the building, Beau followed the crowd to where the buses were parked, waiting to take them to their next destination. Military staff stood by directing everyone to their assigned bus, but when Beau was told he was to board a bus headed for San Diego, California, he stood his ground. “I’m sorry, sir, but I enlisted in the 120-day plan. I’m not to report for duty for another three and a half months. So, still in high school, I’m going home to graduate.”
Knowing he was in the right, Beau turned and, accompanied by two other boys in the same situation, he began walking the four miles to the bus station in downtown Detroit.
Having purchased tickets back to Kalamazoo, the “newbie” sailors wandered over to a bench to wait. At about 9-years old, Beau had traveled solo to Detroit, by train, to visit his aunt and her family. So, a country boy in a big city was nothing new to Beau and his self-confidence had never let him down yet.
The fellas were deep in conversation, when all of sudden they heard a commotion at the other end of the station. Looking in that direction, they noticed a pretty young black woman, who had been sitting by herself, but was no longer alone. Two young black men had moved in on her bench and began harassing her, obviously making her very uncomfortable and frightened.
Never one to stand by if someone was in need of help, Beau and his two comrades sprang from their bench and rushed to the woman’s aid. A farm boy, who was used to throwing 125-pound bales of hay up on a flatbed wagon, had an unmatched advantage over those city slickers.
The confrontation was soon resolved, and the young lady appeared extremely grateful. For a few minutes, the four sat and exchanged small talk while they waited for their bus departures to be announced. However, it was what the woman said just before they went their separate ways that Bob would never forget. Standing, she smiled and said “By the way, I work for Motown Records. My name is Diana Ross.”
Bip (aka: Bob, Beau & Bear) was born July 14, 1947 as Robert Louis Ramsdell. He is the son of Harold Elbert and Arlene Etta (Hitzfield) Ramsdell. Harold began to build their house at 8051 South 36th St. in Scotts, Michigan that same year. This is the setting for many of Bip’s adventures. Bip is a 1966 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School. When Bob and his wife Jo first met in 2003, Jo was captivated by Bob’s childhood stories and decided they must be written down for future generations to enjoy. The series of Jo’s articles were published in the Climax Crescent and later were turned into two books - “Welcome To Bip’s World,” and “The History Of Bip’s World.”
With Veterans Day approaching, we are publishing one of Jo’s stories that offers a lighter side before Bip went into the military.
Bip, Beau, then Bob: recruit
If you have had the opportunity to read the Bip Books: “Welcome to Bip’s World” and “History of Bip’s World.” you are already familiar with the small redhead boy, with freckles scattered across his nose. A blend of “Tom Sawyer” and “Huck Finn.” our barefoot Bip enjoyed the freedom to explore the countryside surrounding his small town of Scotts, Michigan. The outlying marshes, streams, and woodlands fueled his creative imagination and became the backdrop for his numerous adventures.
As Bip grew and changed, so did his name. By the teen years, his peers began calling him Beau, and his adventures became a tad more sophisticated.
Beau’s father, who had been struck by lightning, suddenly died about three years later, in 1966, of a massive heart attack. That was in January of Beau’s senior year. By May, as the Vietnam War raged on, and realizing that it was just a matter of time before he would be drafted into military service, Beau was forced to make some major decisions. After several friends, who had been drafted into the army, returned home in body bags, Beau decided he wanted to take his chances with another branch of service. Enlisting in the U. S. Navy, Beau was ordered to report to the Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit for his military entrance physical the month before graduation.
Boarding a bus in Kalamazoo with numerous other recruits, Beau was transported across state for the day. Entering an old brick building, the guys were filed down a dimly lit corridor to a large room filled with doctors and nurses. Stripped down to their t-shirts and skivvies, those boys stood in a long line, waiting their turn to be poked and prodded. After being stuck with countless needles, and after answering a list of medical questions, the word “Passed” was stamped on their papers.
Exiting the building, Beau followed the crowd to where the buses were parked, waiting to take them to their next destination. Military staff stood by directing everyone to their assigned bus, but when Beau was told he was to board a bus headed for San Diego, California, he stood his ground. “I’m sorry, sir, but I enlisted in the 120-day plan. I’m not to report for duty for another three and a half months. So, still in high school, I’m going home to graduate.”
Knowing he was in the right, Beau turned and, accompanied by two other boys in the same situation, he began walking the four miles to the bus station in downtown Detroit.
Having purchased tickets back to Kalamazoo, the “newbie” sailors wandered over to a bench to wait. At about 9-years old, Beau had traveled solo to Detroit, by train, to visit his aunt and her family. So, a country boy in a big city was nothing new to Beau and his self-confidence had never let him down yet.
The fellas were deep in conversation, when all of sudden they heard a commotion at the other end of the station. Looking in that direction, they noticed a pretty young black woman, who had been sitting by herself, but was no longer alone. Two young black men had moved in on her bench and began harassing her, obviously making her very uncomfortable and frightened.
Never one to stand by if someone was in need of help, Beau and his two comrades sprang from their bench and rushed to the woman’s aid. A farm boy, who was used to throwing 125-pound bales of hay up on a flatbed wagon, had an unmatched advantage over those city slickers.
The confrontation was soon resolved, and the young lady appeared extremely grateful. For a few minutes, the four sat and exchanged small talk while they waited for their bus departures to be announced. However, it was what the woman said just before they went their separate ways that Bob would never forget. Standing, she smiled and said “By the way, I work for Motown Records. My name is Diana Ross.”
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