Russellville, Arkansas: On Friday, October 18, the children of Dr. Edward F. Ragsdale, joined by extended family, friends, and library staff, dedicated a memorial bench in honor of their father. Born in 1939, Dr. Ragsdale lived down the street from the Russellville Public Library (now known as Heritage Hall) and visited often after school and on weekends when he was a child. (The current Pope County Library was built next door in 1976.) Ragsdale went on to graduate first in his class at Russellville High School and first in his class at the University of Arkansas. He then attended Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, interned at Philadelphia General Hospital, and fulfilled his residency in radiology at Barnes Hospital. After serving as a captain in active duty with the Air Force, Dr. Ragsdale practiced medicine at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Illinois, for more than 40 years.
Dr. Ragsdale credited the library with inspiring his lifelong love for reading and learning. Upon his diagnosis of terminal cancer, Ragsdale requested that his family share that inspiration by installing a bench on the premises on the Pope County Library in Russellville.
Alan Ragsdale, Dr. Ragsdale’s oldest son, notified Branch Manager Sarah Moore of the family’s intentions. Moore then reached out to Kendal Hern of BMR Builders, who designed and built a cedar bench with a memorial plaque that reads “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader.”
At the dedication, Moore introduced Alan Ragsdale, who explained his father’s history with the library and his educational achievements; younger son, Phil Ragsdale, reviewed Dr. Ragsdale’s professional and civic career; and daughter, Lynda Davey, spoke lovingly of her father’s personal qualities. Davey also emphasized the family’s desire that the bench be a reminder that the library can inspire the dreams of others in the same way that her father’s early days spent in the library inspired his dreams.
The family concluded the ceremony by announcing the donation of their grandfather Floyd Ragsdale’s surveyor, which he used to help lay out and name Russellville streets. The surveyor will be held in the Pope County Library System’s permanent collection.
Branch Manager Moore says, “The Pope County Library appreciates the Ragsdale family’s gracious donation of this memorial bench and surveying equipment, and we encourage the public to take a break and enjoy the bench as well as to come view this piece of local history.”
