Published: November 21, 2007 04:09 pm      

Herald sports writer is honored

CLINTON — Jerry Ramig started bowling when he was around 12.

He would tag along on Saturday nights with his father, Arthur, to the old Clinton Bowling Parlor on Sixth Avenue South.

Ramig recalls setting up the pins with the other boys after each frame.

“Then they’d buy us a malted milk for 15 cents,” Ramig said. “After all the guys went out drinking, we’d go out and bowl stocking-footed and take turns setting up our own pins.”

In 1946, when he was in middle school, Ramig started at the Clinton Herald in the mailroom.

“My brother was a good basketball player, so the sports editors all knew me,” Ramig said.

He started traveling with them to area sporting events, where he helped keep stats. In high school, Ramig began having aspirations of being a sports writer, and took every typing class he could. He wrote his first article as a high school junior in 1950.

“I got my first byline,” Ramig said. “I’ll never forget that.”

Ramig got his big break when Herald sports editor Bob Howard had to go out of town, and assigned Ramig to cover the Clinton High School football game that evening.

“He said ‘you know how to type, and you know how to do the stats, so you can do write it,’” Ramig said. “From there, I was stuck on being a sports writer.”

Ramig graduated from high school in 1951 and joined the Clinton Herald staff full time in a six-year apprenticeship program to become a Linotype operator. He worked at the apprenticeship until joining the U.S. Army in 1953 and shipping out to Korea, where he was stationed for 16 months with the 51st Signal Corps.

After his discharge in 1955, Ramig returned to work at the Herald, where he eventually met his future wife, Dolores, with whom he credits all his successes over the years.

“I’m lucky I had a wife that let me do this stuff,” Ramig said. “The only reason I’ve been able to do what I’ve done is because my wife and kids let me do it.”

Ramig has worked as a sports writer since 1953, and was recently awarded the Mid-American Bowling Writers (MABW) Golden Quill Award for excellence in reporting and devotion to the sport of bowling.

“I was really thrilled,” Ramig said. “I’m very honored to be recognized for the work I’ve done.”

Ramig has been a member of the regional MABW organization for 30 years, and served as president of the national organization, the Bowling Writers of America Association (BWAA), in 2006. The group includes more than 300 members from across the country.

“It’s one of the best organizations I’ve ever belonged to,” Ramig said. Ramig started bowling in organized leagues in 1950, and has served the sport in several capacities throughout the years, including Classic League secretary for 18 years, and secretary of the Odeon Association for 14 years. Ramig was elected to the Clinton Bowling Association Board of Directors and served as secretary for several years, and was also elected to the Iowa State Bowling Association Board of Directors, where he served as president in 1983. Ramig was elected to the Iowa State Bowling Hall of Fame in 1988.

“I guess I’m just dedicated to the game of bowling.” Ramig said.

Ramig has bowled in 35 American Bowling Congress championship tournaments, 50 Iowa State Bowling tournaments, and attended 42 bowling conventions. One of his most prized possessions is a gold and onyx ring he received for serving as president of the Clinton Bowling Association, and all of his service to bowling in the area.

“The proudest thing I ever got was that ring,” Ramig said. “I only wear it for special occasions, because I’m afraid I’ll lose it.”

Ramig has also been dedicated to serving the Clinton community throughout the years, and takes great pride in buying locally, and supporting the American flag.

Ramig is a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, the AMVETS, the VFW, and the American Legion, and has played “Taps” on his trumpet for more than 700 funerals for local veterans. Ramig is also a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, and a past editor of the Iowa Postman. He worked at the Clinton Post Office for 34 years, and retired in 1992. He still finds the time to collect local donations during the Letter Carriers’ National Food Drive every year, sing in the Zion Lutheran Church choir and volunteer as a member of the Gateway Patriotic Memorial Day Association.

Ramig and his wife have two children, Michael of Clinton, and Marcia (Ray) Naeve of Bryant, as well as five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and four step great-grandchildren. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this Friday.

“She’s too good to me,” Ramig said. “I’m lucky to have her.”