Ralph Barnes Davidson

November 29, 1942 — February 20, 2024

Ralph Barnes Davidson, 81, of Bozeman, MT died unexpectedly on February 20, 2024. He was born in Glen Ridge, NJ, the son of John and Charlotte (Barnes) Davidson, III. He grew up in Montclair, NJ, graduating from Montclair High School in 1960. In 1965 Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Delaware with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. After college he joined the Peace Corps for Education and Teaching in West Cameroon, Africa, 1965-1967. He was very passionate and proud of his work in the Peace Corps. Returning home from Africa he attended graduate school at the University of Southern California, receiving a Master’s Degree in Education in 1969. It was at USC where he met his future wife, Nancy. They were married in 1968 in Los Angeles. 

Ralph spent 40 years in education, teaching high school and middle school science, math and chemistry in California, New Hampshire and West Cameroon, Africa. One of his hobbies was woodworking and that gave him the opportunity to be a Woodshop Teacher, sharing his skills with campers at two New Hampshire summer camps over a span of 20 years. Additionally, he used his creative skills to make beautiful wooden accessories and furniture for his home and family. 

From an early age Ralph enjoyed running. While living in California, he completed four marathons plus other running competitions. He loved the outdoors, exploring, hiking, camping, cross country skiing, all with his wife and family. In retirement Ralph found his love for genealogy. He devoted hours to researching and documenting family history. Preserving and sharing family stories was a passion. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy Davidson (Brooks) of Bozeman, MT; a daughter and her husband, Karen and Eric Cale of Bozeman, MT; a granddaughter Janna Elizabeth Cale; two sisters, Joan LaMonica of Harleysville, PA and Doris Anne Davidson Snyder of South Glastonbury, CT; three nieces, Jill Kuiken, Laurie LaMonica Derr and Lindsay Sandoval. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Donations may be made in memory of Ralph Davidson to the Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) - https://www.peacecorps.gov/donate  

https://www.dahlcares.com/obituaries/ralph-davidson

Friends who would like to share a memory or thought with Ralph's family, should please send it via email to his sister at dorisinct@gmail.com

If you would like to add a tribute or story about Ralph to this page, please scroll to the bottom of this page. Click "Post Comment." Write your message in the empty box, then click "Submit."

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Ralph Davidson's Genealogy Research

Ralph's obituary (above) mentions his love for genealogy.  Several years ago, Ralph submitted this story for our website, and included a photo of his ancestor Libbie Custer, wife of General George Armstrong Custer, the Army officer associated with The Battle of Little Bighorn (also known as Custer's Last Stand). 

Ralph wrote, "I have been into genealogy and family history since retirement 11 years ago. I have written hundreds of pages for my family and others. A lot of great stories. Elizabeth (Libbie) Bacon Custer (wife of General Armstrong Custer) is my one claim to 'celebrity fame.' 

An online website says, "George and Libbie Custer made a handsome and glamorous couple."

I researched an ancestor from the American Revolution.  I succeeded in gathering all the evidence needed for proving to the DAR our family descendency (from one 'Eljah Ward') to make it possible for for my sisters, 1st cousin, and female children of all to be eligible.  My sister, Joan, is now in a very large DAR chapter in the Philadelphia area.

My approach to studying family history is different from what others often do.  There are those who go after large amounts of data in order to find as many people as possible.  They like elaborate trees and lists.  My goal is to dig for interesting stories.  I frequently use lineage lines in my writings but not large trees.  Readers understand much better about their ancestry with this approach.  My goal is to make history interesting.