Sylvester Alphonse Ramacher “Ram”, age 90, passed away at his home in Cameron Park, CA, on January 18, 2023. He was born on June 10, 1932, in St Paul, Minnesota, to Alphonse and Genevieve Ramacher. At age 18, Syl enlisted in the Marines and became a Korean War Veteran serving as an anti-aircraft machine gunner, (1950 – 1954). Upon leaving the Marines, he continued serving our Country in the Navy (1956-1960) and Army Reserve (1965-1997). Syl loved to learn and in 1963 he found his passion when he began studying Martial Arts with Bruce Tegner. He achieved 3rd degree Brown Belt in Jukado. He began studying Kenpo Karate with Steve Fox and would receive his 1st Black Belt in 1974. Ram received his 2nd Black Belt in 1984 and 3rd in 1986, both studying under Ed Parker. 4th Black Belt was achieved in 2004 and 5th in 2007, under Jeff Speakman. Inducted into the Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame in 1970. He also became proficient in Martial Art Stick Fighting (Escrima) and practiced the art until he was 90 years of age. He received the Presidential Sports Award from President Gerald Ford in 1975. He founded several Karate schools in Northern CA. Ram last participated in a Karate tournament in 2003, at age 71. Also in 1963, he and then wife, Katie would pack up their three kids and move to Folsom, from the Los Angeles area. Ram became a Corrections Officer for Folsom State Prison, (which, at the time, was a maximum-security prison), because it was more interesting to him than being a mail carrier. He worked at New and Old Folsom for most of his 32 years, but would complete his career at Pelican Bay State Prison, in Crescent City. He was always a student, an avid reader, writer, and sketch artist. He won several county awards for his pen and ink drawings and for his poetry. He loved watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings with his family. He immensely enjoyed watching boxing with his clan and he was at his complete pleasure perusing Barnes & Nobles with them. It filled his heart to watch his great-grandchildren play at the park. He is a very loved and missed father, grandfather, great-grandfather... He is survived by his two sisters, Eileen Zentis (husband Roger) and Katie Wick (Leon); two daughters, Maria Nelson (Jerry) and Veronica Higgins (Brad). Nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren. 1st wife, Catalina (Katie) Ramacher and many loved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Syl is predeceased by his son, Pino Ramacher and 2nd wife, Phyllis Daniels-Ramacher.Memorial service will be held at Sacramento Valley Veterans Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon, CA, at 1:00, on Monday, February 27th. To plant a tree in memory of Sylvester Ramacher as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });