Raymond K. Swartz
Swartz, Raymond K.
6 Feb 1947 – 9 Dec 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 50th 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.
Ray retired from the works on 31 Dec 2004.
Visitation: The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 13th from
6 - 8 P.M. at the West Center Chapel.
Services: Friday, Dec. 14th at 11 A.M. at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 2556
S. 138th St.
Interment: Evergreen Memorial Park.
Memorials: To Rejoice Lutheran Church or may be
directed to the family.
Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler
78th & West Center
Omaha NE 68124
402-391-3900
www.heafeyheafey.com
