Raymond K. Swartz

Raymond K. Swartz

February 6, 1947 – December 9, 2018

Raymond Kenneth Swartz was born on February 6, 1947 in Buffalo, New York to Raymond and Jennie Swartz.  He grew up in Buffalo and attended the State University of New York in 1969, graduating with an electrical engineering degree. In 1978, he attended Iowa State University and received a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Later in life, he also took executive management training at Princeton University. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Faith Dodson; they were married on January 18, 1969.  At the time of his passing, Ray and Faith were just five weeks short of celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary.

Ray had more than forty years of leadership experience covering Operations, Product Management, R&D, Sales, and served as President & General Manager of a global company with facilities located in Asia, Europe, and South America. After retirement, Ray focused on consulting services to institutions by providing mentoring to senior leaders. He partnered with some of the most renowned global experts in the field of corporate leadership development. Ray provided consulting services to companies/organizations such as Molex, ComScope, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He also partnered with the Univ. of Nebraska and the Univ. of Washington in providing operational leadership consulting services. Ray had five patents registered with the U.S. Government for engineering designs.

While Ray obtained a great deal in his professional life, he would say his greatest achievement was his close-knit family.  He loved his wife and children with his whole heart. Ray and Faith have two daughters, Renee and Tammy, of whom he was extremely proud. They then welcomed two sons-in-law, Jason and Henri, whom Ray loved and supported as if they were his own. The most happiness came from his six grandchildren. Ray had a highly personal relationship with each one of his grandchildren. All the kids called Ray “Papa.” The gift of music was a very big part of his life, too.  A classically trained pianist, his first job was playing a pipe organ. That love of music continued with him to the end of his life. Active in Rejoice! Lutheran Church, he played the keyboard on Sundays until a year ago. He also led the Senior Choir for many years. At home, work, church, the baseball field, or on the golf course, he was so fun to be around. All his friends say he was the best.

Ray’s passing was peaceful, and his entire family was by his side. He suffered from MDS/Leukemia and died from complications of pneumonia. His doctors became his friends and we know he would want to thank Drs. Stefano Tarantolo and Ed Taylor.

Ray is survived by wife, Faith; daughter, Reneé Black (Jason); daughter, Tammy Jung (Henri); grandchildren: Tanner and Avery Black, Whitney, Aaron, Meredith and Ryan Jung.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 13^th from 6pm to 8pm at the West Center Chapel.  SERVICES: Friday, Dec. 14^th at 11am at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 2556 S. 138^th St.  Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.  Memorials are suggested to Rejoice Lutheran Church or may be directed to the family.