Raymond Hahn

Raymond Elmer Hahn, will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery October 11, 2014, at 3 p.m. He departed life at age 89, born May 24, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri, son of Mary Pierce Hahn and Charles Lewis Hahn, grandson of Fannie Gillham Pierce originally of Edwardsville, and great grandson of Ryderus Clark and Emily Gillham of Edwardsville, great nephew of Edwardsville Judge John Franklin Gillham and former Illinois Grand Master Frederick Clark Gillham.
From age 5, he studied piano and composition leading to state and city prizes including a tie for first place in the citywide high school contest, at age 12, and his selection of "Stars of Tomorrow" radio program. As a Boy Scout he reached Eagle rank, and was elected state President of the Junior American Academy of Sciences. After graduating John Burroughs School at 16, he was awarded the St. Louis area scholarship to The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and made Dean's list each year. He was a Member of Tau Beta PI (engineering) and Sigma Xi honorary societies. He was President of the Combined Musical Clubs of MIT for 1942 and 1943.
He earned his BS in Chemical Engineering and was one of six selected to continue working on a MS in Chemical Engineering while working "co-op" with Union Carbide on the "Manhattan Project" at Oak Ridge, TN and Tonawanda, NY. During the war he occasionally studied damage photos of Axis chemical installations taken after 8th Air Force air raids. Subsequent assignments with Union Carbide in West Virginia led to a promotion to Union Carbide world headquarters in New York City as Production-Planner expanding his development of bulk water-transport of chemicals using tankers and barges. After thirty-five years, he retired to resume composing.
He was a Freemason for 51 years, Master of the Larchmont Lodge #1030 F.&A.M., NY and President of the Past Masters Association. He was Grand Steward of New York. In the American Lodge of Research in New York City he authored a treatise on the contributions of Freemasons in the Revolutionary War. He was organist of the Pleasantville-Hiawatha Lodge #434 F.&A.M., NY.
Raymond is survived by his first cousins Raymond F. Pierce, B Edward Pierce and Elizabeth Pierce Bradshaw.
A memorial service was previously held at the First Presbyterian Church, in Hammond, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Immanuel United Methodist Church, 800 North Main Street, in Edwardsville, Illinois or any charity of your choice. Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.