Darwin E. Ransom

Darwin Elmer Ransom, age 95, passed away peacefully at Sentara Hospital in Woodbridge, Va. on August 22nd, with his family by his side.

He was born June 27, 1928, in Stratton, Neb., and was the son of the late Elmer and Ruth (Craw) Ransom. He grew up on a nearly 1500-acre farm that straddled two counties and two time zones in southwest Nebraska, making last minute trips to the hardware store at 4:59PM very interesting.

Darwin graduated from Stratton High School in Stratton, Neb. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in Japan and the Philippines, training as a heavy equipment mechanic, building on his experience on the farm fixing tractors.

In 1948, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at the main campus in Lincoln and earned a BS degree in Agriculture. Darwin spent time flying planes with friends and met the love of his life, Roseanel VanStrom. Rosie was a city girl from Lincoln studying education at the University of Nebraska. The two were married in Lincoln in 1954 and began 54 years of marriage together.

Darwin began his professional career as a County Agricultural Extension Agent in Hayes County, Neb., supporting 4-H clubs, writing soil test and seed certification recommendations, and working with farmers. This initial work experience led to a 40-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), taking him and his family across the country from Lincoln, Nebraska to Seattle, Washington, to Richmond, Virginia, and ultimately to Washington, D.C., where he and Rosie raised their family in the D.C. suburb of Dale City, Va. At USDA in Washington, Darwin became a renowned figure as the sugar expert at the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

While Darwin loved math and statistics, his natural inclination toward helping people emerged after his retirement from federal service when he began a lengthy career in real estate. He also manifested his interest in public service with his participation in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) through which he made some of his most lasting friendships.

Darwin also got the travel bug after retirement, joining NARFE friends at meetings around the country and traveling with family and friends to Alaska, Maine, and Florida.

Darwin was a faithful member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Dale City, Va. for 48 years.

Darwin is preceded in death by his wife, Roseanel (VanStrom) Ransom. Survivors include sons, Roger Ransom and wife, Rhonda of Lebanon Church, Va., Elmer Ransom and wife, Catharine of Arlington, Va.; daughters, Nancy Ransom of Woodbridge, Va., Laura Ransom and husband, Kevin McGrath of Lincoln, Neb.; and six grandchildren, Nicole, Joshua, Hannah, Donna, Connor and Cole.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 31st from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, Va., 22193. (Note: there is another Mountcastle location in Woodbridge, this event is at the Dale City location, please confirm the address before driving.)

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 2 at 10:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 14999 Birchdale Ave., Dale City, Va. 22193.

The family will gather again to receive friends at a visitation on Saturday, September 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (MDT) at Benkelman Memorial Chapel in Benkelman, Neb. Graveside services will follow the viewing at 11:30 a.m. (CDT) at Rose Hill Cemetery near Stratton, Neb. Please check the time zones as you are making plans for this event, which will straddle both CDT and MDT, like the Ransom farm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Darwin’s name to Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 14999 Birchdale Ave., Dale City, Va. 22193.