Raymond P. Urtz

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Manhattan College University of Southern California

Raymond Urtz Obituary

Raymond P. Urtz
Rome
Raymond P. Urtz, age 73, retired Director, Information Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, NY, passed away peacefully October 8, 2012. He was born July 11, 1939, in Utica, a son of the late, Raymond and Margaret Myrtle Kelly Urtz. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in NYC, received a Bachelors degree in Physics from Manhattan College in 1961, Masters degree in Systems Management from University of Southern California in 1974, and graduated in 1986 from the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA. Ray was united in marriage to the former Maureen Murphy on August 26, 1961, in St. Marys Church, Flushing, NY; she died August 19, 2011. He was a member of St. Pauls Church. Ray had a 44 year career at Griffiss Air Force Base, starting as a physicist in 1961 at RADC and retiring as Director of Rome Lab, in 2005. He received many awards and honors, including the Harold Brown Award for excellence in research and development in 1982, Harry Davis Award for research and development accomplishments in 1983, and the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in 1993 and 2000. He served as the Board Chair for Griffiss Local Development Corporation, the Griffiss Institute and the Central New York Defense Alliance. In 2005, Ray received a Leading EDGE Award and an Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award from the Air Force for 44 years of dedicated service. Rays personal life revolved around his family. He had a tremendous love for his wife, Maureen, children and grandchildren. He was an avid reader and would often be seen walking at a fast pace along the streets and sidewalks of Rome. Ray is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Bernadette Jean Urtz and Marcus Rebick of Oxford, England, and Eileen Mary Urtz and Christopher Schoberl of New York City; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Margaret Mutz of Franklin, TN, and Mary and James Curran of Bayside, NY; grandchildren, Adam Rebick, and Molly, Zachary and Ethan Schoberl. Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:45 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807W. Chestnut Street, and a Mass of Christian Burial with Fr. Robert Kelly, officiating, at 10:30 AM at St. Pauls Church. Burial will be in St. Marys Cemetery Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Sunday 2 to 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jervis Public Library. Please offer online tributes or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com
Raymond Urtz

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Published by The Observer-Dispatch on Oct. 11, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Urtz

5 Entries

John and Judy Bay

October 14, 2012

To the Urtz Family:

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your loved one. Mr. Urtz was a thoughtful and farsighted leader of the Rome community and his wise and dependable counsel will be sorely missed. Right up to the end of his life, he worked very hard to help secure the rightful position of this lab and it's dedicated employees. We admired him very much.
On a personal note, we recall fondly meeting both Ray and Maureen at The Savoy and Maureen bringing a 'welcome wagon' bag to share with us. Her love for the area and thoughtfulness still touches us both. To see Ray and Maureen interact was a highlight of the evening. You could sense not only the love but the respect they had for each other.
Thank you all for the service your parents were generous enough to share.

Sincerely,
Dr and Mrs John Bay

Sue

October 13, 2012

I have happy memories of living with my cousin in Utica during WWII. He was a thoughtful gentle man.

Danielle Hartmann

October 11, 2012

My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. Words cannot express my condolences for your loss but I hope that time and memories may bring some comfort.

An Old Friend

October 11, 2012

Ray saved Rome Lab from closing in 1995 and worked for 10 years to build a solid Air Force R&D facility. He worked hard to balance his USAF career and his family life.

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

October 11, 2012

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any man's death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

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