Raymond Boettcher

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 14, 2010

Raymond Boettcher, 95, died May 6, 2010, in Wake Robin, Vt. with family members at his side. 
He was born in New Hampton, Iowa, May 20, 1914, the son of Adolph and Johannah (Christoph) Boettcher.
Ray graduated from the University of Iowa College of Commerce with highest honors, Beta Gamma Sigma. In 1938, he went to the corporate offices of Hormel Foods in Austin, where he worked until his retirement in 1977. His expertise was in employee benefits and risk management. He was a past president of the Minnesota Risk and Insurance Management Society and a board member of the National RIMS.
He was active in community service clubs and organizations including the Austin Congregational Church, Lions Club, Elks Club, YMCA, Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. He loved to fish, was a sports enthusiast and avid golfer with two holes-in-one to his credit.
He married Julia Catherine Ripple on June 30, 1938.
Mr. and Mrs. Boettcher moved to Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vt. in 1993 and soon joined the Charlotte Congregational Church. Ray quickly became a leader in the new Wake Robin community. He organized the first sports committee and served as chair for several years. He and the sports committee were instrumental in the building of the aquatic center in Wake Robin. Ray managed golf and bowling tournaments for residents and staff for many years.
Ray was an avaricious reader, enjoyed bridge and other card games and created beautiful flower beds around their Austin home as well as their cottage in Wake Robin.
Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a constant source of strength and set an example for his family.
In addition to his loving wife of 70 years, he is survived by their three daughters: Susan Elizabeth (W.Winfield Hubley III) of Sarasota, Fla. and Wells, Vt., Nancy Jane (William Heaslip) of Colchester, Vt. and Bolivia, N.C. and Cathy Rae Young and Michael Courtney of Forest Hill, Md. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Stacy Hubley Williams, W.W. Hubley IV (Tad), Sarah Heaslip Whitelaw, Emily Heaslip Kozub,  Catherine Young Soler and Abigail Young; and great-grandchildren, Nathan Williams, Evan Williams, Ava Kozub and W.W. Hubley V (Jack).
A Circle of Remembrance will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Wake Robin.
Those who wish to may make a memorial gift to the Wake Robin Aquatic Center Fund or Wake Robin Memorial Tree Fund.