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Ray Nitzsche Obituary
CHILLICOTHE - Ray Norman Nitzsche, age 70, of Chillicothe passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Ray was born on Sept. 23, 1944, in Walsh, Ill., to Otis Wilsey and Gladys Frances (Wesbecher) Nitzsche. He married Mitze Ann DeRousse on Aug. 26, 1966.
Surviving are his wife, Mitze; his daughters, Valerie (Dan) Wiest of Sparland, Ill., and Amy Popp of Peoria, Ill.; and four grandchildren, Cordelia and Katherine Wiest and Riley and Miranda Popp. Also surviving are his brother, Allen (Marge) Nitzsche of College Mound, Mo.; and sister-in-law, Janet Nitzsche of Tallahassee, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wayne.
Ray graduated from the University of Illinois with a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (Engineering). He worked for both Caterpillar Inc. and Whirlpool and was a professor at the University of Missouri and St. Louis University.
Ray was a naturalist. He enjoyed woodworking and developed and ran his own peach orchard for several years.
Cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Peoria. The Rev. Michael Brown will be officiating.
Memorials may be made to Gift of Hope or Heartlands Conservancy.
Online condolences may be made through www.davison-fulton-andersonchapel.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ray Nitzsche
Carlos Manglano
April 8, 2015
Very sorry to hear of this loss. My deepest condolences to his family. He was one of the greatest professor's I ever had, as a current University professor I find myself repeating his ways in my classes.
A great soul.
Stan Stewart
April 7, 2015
So sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Nitzsche. He was one of the best teachers and he had such a great sense of humor when he taught me at Parks. I have often remarked through the years of how much better the class and my grades were when the teacher was personable and engaging, and Dr. Nitzsche was such the teacher and he should be the mold for teachers everywhere. My prayers go out for him and for his family. Rest in Peace.
Paul Hepperla
April 6, 2015
My condolences and prayers to Dr. Nitzsche's family. Dr. Nitzche was one of my professors at SLU / Parks College and was definitely an influence. His classes were memorable as well as his tests.
May he Rest In Peace and may God bless you all.
Hector Barrio
March 26, 2015
I am very sorry to hear of this loss. He was a wonderful educator, SLU alumni in Madrid still remember him and tell stories about his classes.
I wish all the strength for the family.
George and Judy Tuttle
March 20, 2015
Mitzie,
We were deeply saddened to learn of Ray's passing. He brought laughter and joy to all those were fortunate enough to know him. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Phillip Dawson
March 20, 2015
Ray and I hired into Caterpillar at the same time, and worked together in the early years. He was so down to earth and so much fun to work with. My sympathy to the family. May God bless you all.
Curt Afdahl
March 19, 2015
I hope your family is blessed with sweet memories and I wish for good times to come your way.
charles & donna heuman
March 19, 2015
so sorry to read of rays passing. so glad we got to visit with you when you stopped by in walsh, you have our deepest sympathy
James Mann, Sr.
March 19, 2015
In fond remembrance of Ray. Mitze, Valerie and Amy, may the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
March 19, 2015
Mitze, just read the paper and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Missed going to the orchard and visiting with you and Ray and caching up with the family news. Also tell Allen I am thinking of him and his family also Miss you all. Donna Mae Wesbecher Bleem (Sparta, IL)
Edmond P. DeRousse
March 19, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls and their families. We will miss him very much.
K Ravindra
March 19, 2015
To Mitze and children:
Ray was a wonderful room mate and a colleague of mine. (Yes in those days faculty members shared offices!)I have had exciting conversations with him about academia and life. He made everyone laugh with his witty sense of humor and jokes.
I pray to almighty to give all of you enough strength to bear the loss.
Ravi
Jan Nitcher
March 17, 2015
Mitze,
My thoughts and prayers are with you right now. You spoke often of your husband and his peach wine making when I taught as an inclusion teacher with you with the 5th graders at Rogers Elementary. I'm certain he was a Class A human being, just as you have been. I pray you walk by God's side as you face some of the toughest days. I am still teaching here in Waterloo and used to see Carol from time to time here in town. You can contact me on the school website.
Andrea Podsiadlo Griffiths
March 17, 2015
My prayers and thoughts are with your family and friends.
Dr. Nitzsche was a great teacher with a wonderful ability to help everyone understand the material. He also had a wickedly terrific sense of humor which made his classes fun. As someone else said, I'm sure he's entertaining and teaching in heaven.
Jason Steinbruegge
March 16, 2015
To the family of Dr. Nitzsche,
You have my condolences. He was one of my favorite teachers I had while at Parks College and I owe him the contact that enabled me to have the job I have today.
He will be surely missed by all who knew him.
Bopp
March 16, 2015
Mitze, Val,Amy and grandchildren:
I'm truly sorry for your loss, he was an amazing person. I was very fortunate to have him for a buddy. Such wonderful memories I have of him, his love for life, family, teaching students, wine making, woodworking, his farm, his orchard, making people laugh, and his love for telling jokes. He will be missed. The one and only my buddy Nitch.
Silvia Bayon
March 16, 2015
Great man and fantastic professor.
My condolences to the family.
Bopp
March 16, 2015
Mitze, Val, Amy, and grandchildren, I'm truly sorry for your loss. So many wonderful memories I have of him. His love for life, family, friends, teaching students, his farm, his orchard, his wood working, making wine and his jokes. The one and only Nitch, my buddy, he will be missed.
Scott Dort
March 16, 2015
I was in the very 1st Class Dr. Ray taught at Parks (in the old Cahokia Campus) in the Fall of 1983. It was vibrations. We all expected the worst because he was "just" a PHD with no teaching experience. We could not have been more wrong... He was so smart and laid back. I use some of the things he taught me to this day at Boeing on the 787. My prayers go out to his loved ones and family. I have no doubts that he is already missed.
Scott K. Dort
Carrie Ham
March 16, 2015
My prayers and thoughts are with family and friends. Dr. Nitzsche was a great professor, and his personality made learning fun. He will be missed!
Chris Alexander
March 16, 2015
Truly sorry for your loss.
I was fortunate to have Dr. Nitzsche as a professor during my undergraduate studies at Parks Air College.
Dr. Nitzsche was one of the best teachers I've ever had - definitely the most funny.
I'm sure he's teaching, and entertaining, a group of students right now.
Phil Lamczyk
March 16, 2015
A very good professor.
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