"Unfortunately we never met even though you were in Denver and I was in Westminster but we were cousins, my grandparents were Geraldine and Frank Brander. You sounded like you were a great and amazing person and I just wanted to send my condolences to your family. "
In loving memory of
Sean K. Ramsden
February 25, 1971 - September 27, 2014
Denver - Sean Ramsden of Denver CO originally of Madison WI, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on September 27, 2014. Sean deeply loved skiing and experienced the world's most amazing slopes as an athlete and coach. Some highlights of his many accomplishments include: 1993 Individual GS NCAA National Championships and 2 Time First Team NCAA All American. He served as Executive Director / Alpine Director for Team Summit from 2002 - 2010 and most recently found incredible personal and professional satisfaction working with the U.S. Paralympic racing team all the way to the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia and beyond!
Sean received a degree in History from the University of CO and continued to pursue this interest as he explored culture, sights and sounds everywhere he went. His love of history, personal athleticism, international travels and knowledge-seeking of all sorts gave Sean a unique perspective and wisdom. His compassionate, kind-hearted, fun-loving spirit made him an excellent friend, teammate and teacher both on and off the slopes.
Sean was a citizen of the world whose home base had become the mountains of Colorado. He enjoyed visits to the Midwest which was also home, and especially loved spending time with his nieces and watching them grow. He has been blessed with many wonderful friendships too numerous to name and considered himself fortunate in this. He appreciated those who loved him more than words could ever say.
Sean will be missed by many and has truly left a lasting impact on those who knew him. He was preceded in death by his father Alan Ramsden, Aunts and Uncles: Geraldine / Frank Brander, Vincent Ramsden and Gary Jaekel. Sean is survived by his mother Sharon Jaekel, step-father Ron Smith; sisters Kris (Charles) Teasdale and Audra (Nelson) Ferreira; Nieces Cierra, Hannah, Ashley Teasdale, and Giulia Ferreira. Aunts and Uncles; Barb Jaekel, Kenneth (Alice) Ramsden, Ron Ramsden, Paul (Kathy) Ramsden, Dean (Jane) Ramsden, Gary Ramsden; step-siblings Nola (Roger) Stanley, Tim (Kath) Smith, Dan (Patti) Smith & many step nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, October 4th at Asbury United Methodist Church (6101 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705) at 1:00 p.m. A light reception and time to visit will follow the service.
A Memorial Service in Colorado will take place Wednesday, October 8th at 11am at the Chief Hosa Lodge (27661 Genesse Drive, Golden, CO 80401)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the U.S. Paralympics Team.
Tributes
"Thank you Sean for all the Coaching on the slopes!!We will miss your smiling face!! "
"Through Team Summit I became a friend of Sean. I spent many hours riding cold chairlifts with him and we would end up talking about what could be done to make the club better for the kids. He cared deeply for the kids and the kids loved him. He enjoyed playing with the kids even if he ended up being the butt of the joke. The highest honor one can receive, is helping others achieve lofty goals. His list of those he has helped is really, really long and everyday is getting bigger and better. In a few weeks, when we make those first turns of the year, we can hold close to our hearts that some enormous smile is looking down on us, with advice on how to make a better turn. "
"Sean Was a great student and a good guy. I coached him at the Jr. Nationals. Can't remember the exact year."
"I spent most of my teenage years ski racing with Sean and remember him as a super talented, highly competitive, humble and outgoing individual. Sean always encouraged those around him to achieve their personal best and see the positive in situations. His passing brings back great memories of late night road trips to Upper Michigan, summer ski camp in Mt. Hood, teenage pranks on teammates, and of a man who lived life to its fullest. Sean you will be deeply missed."
"I coached Sean when he was about 10. He was all speed and all heart. A coach's dream. He grew to be a wonderful adult, full of energy, always smiling. I can't ever remember him down. Even when his dad passed away he rode to Marquette with me and talked about how he would turn that sad event into positive energy. It was great to follow his career and see that he stayed with his fist love, skiing. He usually checked in when ever he was in Madison. The last time I spent with him was on a beautiful sunny day on the deck at Winter Park. We enjoyed a beer and talked about old times and new. We honor the memories of those who have left us by doing the things we shared and enjoyed with them. Farewell, I'll never forget."
"Sean Coached me through my High School years (Mid 90's). He was so helpful and provided great advice. I really enjoyed having him help me since he was so talented!"
"Best coach/mentor I have ever had in my life, not only for athletics but for all of life's ups and downs. So much fun and energy, thanks for the lasting memories buddy. Man I sure looked up to Sean and his blissful approach to life!"
"I coached at Tyrol 1980-85, I remember watching Sean run a course when he was about 13 years old, thinking 'man that kid can really rip a turn'........"
"Sean and I were teammates on the Pine Mountain Ski Team. It's been many, many years, but I have very fond memories of our time spent in Iron Mountain, MI. Sean often "lived" at my house with the other Milwaukee and Madison skiers, and during those teenage years, we all were like family. I'm so happy to hear that his love for skiing followed him. "
"When Sean came back to skiing in Colorado in 2001 he would show up for the Copper Mountain town race and if he finished both runs would easily beat the field by a few seconds. He coached masters racing before joining Team Summit. Sean's enthusiasm, drive and love for life was infectious and motivating and the ski world is now something less without his huge personality. I will always treasure the time we skied together."
"I was Sean's ski coach for 1 year at the University of Wyoming. He was from Wisconsin as was I, and we both shared a strong passion for the sport we love. Sean was a great athlete, a greater person and as expressive of his Mid-western roots as they come. "On Wisconsin"."
"Sean and I were good friends in elementary school. Did you know that if you tied bedsheets together and then the last one to a big fan, turn on the fan and then anchor the sheets to the ground that you have a pretty sweet fort? We called it a fan house. Maybe Sean and I invented that. Good memories of birthday parties and a plant-filled house and backyard to play in. You will be missed Sean."
"It sounds to me like He was a chip off the old block. His Dad and Mom were friends of ours and want Shaon to know she,Shawn and Al are in our thoughts and Prayers.God Bless you Sharon and I am very sorry to hear about You're loss. Tom/JoAnn Donahue "
"Proud to have know you for a short but great time. You were always around to shed a bit of perspective, humor and experience on work and life! We'll miss you buddy..."
"your spanish friends will miss your happiness, your smile, you passion for life!"
"Will miss your great approach to life and endless smile...damn we had some fun in Boulder!"
"Sean was a charger. He brought so much energy into everything he did. My first good memory of him was going through confirmation class together at Asbury. He had such a great mix of Midwest down to Earthness with his Go Time! approach to life. He will be missed!"
"I recall taking sean to some early ussa races and he was such a focused young athlete. My favorite recollection was when he stopped by my apt while he was in high school and ended up staying for dinner, eating ravenously and chatting up the evening with my wife Laura & I. That was defn an opening up & began our friendship . .. which led to some fun summers playing soccer on same Madison 56er team with many of his friends . ... we were all so proud of his skiing accomplishments but getting to know him outside racing was such a treat! I will miss him dearly . . .."
"I loved Sean happiness. He was a happy man. He had such a great smile. He could light up a room. Sean was a good friend to everyone, coaches and athletes. "