On September 3 at 11:50 AM Raymond Allen Francis Joseph Van De Walle passed from this life to the next. Ray was married to Janet, my first, and by far longest tenured, boss. I worked for Janet off and on (mostly on) for six years and always knew Ray to be a kind and gentle man, in spite of my youthful exuberance.

A host of complications from cancer he had contracted (and we had thought beaten) years earlier took Ray from us before we were ready, although not before he had lived a full life. Ray had served as a park district director and corporate executive. He was a sailor and had been an Olympic swimming alternate. Most importantly, he was a loving father and husband. Having lived in Illinois for much if not all of his life, he and Janet, his wife of twenty five years, relocated to Michigan City, Indiana a few years ago to be close to the water they so loved and their sailboat, the Chrysalis.

Ray is survived by Janet; his brother Ron; his daughters Pam and Debbie; and a host of friends, among whom I am blessed to be counted.

I had not seen or talked with Ray since visiting he and Janet the fall before moving to DC nearly five years ago, but as I told Janet, he is the first person I have cried over since my grandmother almost eight years ago. Ray, you will be missed.