HUMAN

Name: DOUGLAS RAMSEY
Age: 67
Residence: SUNDANCE, WYOMING
Occupation: RETIRED CIVIL ENGINEER
Years involved with Iditarod: 3
Iditarod Role: I DO A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
Current Location: NOME, ALASKA
Date of Photo: MARCH 14, 2019
Temperature: 65F / INDOORS

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?:

WELL, WHEN I RETIRED, I ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THE IDITAROD. AND I REALIZED, WHEN I STARTED LOOKING INTO IT, I DIDN’T WANT TO BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FENCE. I WANTED TO BE INSIDE OF THE FENCE. SO I’M WORKING WITH ALL THE OTHER VOLUNTEERS. I’VE JUST REALLY ENJOYED IT. IT’S BEEN A GREAT TIME.

Tell me about your most rewarding experience on Iditarod?:

LAST YEAR I WAS VERY FORTUNATE. I WAS ABLE TO BE ONE OF THE DOG HANDLERS THAT ESCORTED JOAR TO THE RESTART, AT THE STARTING LINE AND START CHUTE IN WILLOW. AND WHEN I GOT TO NOME, I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAUL JOAR AND MILLIE AROUND FOR TWO DAYS AFTER HE WAS THE CHAMPION AND TOOK HIM TO THE BANQUET, PICKED UP HIS DOGS, AND TOOK HIS DOGS TO THE BANQUET. AND THAT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

What do you know for sure?:

WELL, I KNOW THAT YOU SHOULD TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED; WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY. I’VE MANAGED PEOPLE MY WHOLE 40-YEAR CAREER AS AN ENGINEER. JUST BE RESPECTFUL AND BE NICE.