Raymond D. Bechtel Jr.

1948 - 2015

RAYMOND D. BECHTEL JR. “The first thing I want to do is to thank everyone who offered prayers, good wishes and thoughts; who helped care for me, and who were with me through the end. To everyone I extend to you my deepest gratitude. But most of all, my loving thanks and gratitude to my wonderful wife of 42 years, Jan, who was so tolerant and gentle with this difficult patient; so selfless, and such a tender caregiver through the course of this disease. And too, to our two sons, Ray III, a Det. Sgt. with the Upper Providence Police Department, and Brian Joseph who is in house management for Helping Hands Inc. in their residential program and teaches at Touch of Music, both of whom who blessed me with five grandchildren. An obituary is a summary of one’s life, and my initial comment to it all is “Thank you God” for allowing me such an incredible journey. This life began on February 23, 1948, here in Pottstown when I was born to Josephine (Lynch) and Raymond Bechtel; both now gone. As a child I was active in Scouting; obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout, attending the 1964 National Jamboree, and later working on staff at Camp Delmont and being a merit badge counselor. In school I was active in the band playing the trumpet like my father before me, participating on the tennis team, and acting in a school play. I graduated from the Pottsgrove High School in 1967 and then attended Goldey-Beacom College for a short time studying Business Administration. After the sudden death of my close friend Doug Guest, I enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam. In 1969 my father died unexpectedly. I received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy and returned home to Pottstown to help care for my family. I attended Penn State University studying Criminal Justice and in December of 1970 I was hired by the North Coventry Police Department; the beginning of my Law Enforcement Career. After three years I found employment with Sanders and Thomas Engineering as a mechanical draftsman, but soon realized that my passion was serving the people of the community as a police officer. In October 1975 I returned to the Law Enforcement profession and was hired by the Lower Pottsgrove Police Department. I served as a Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant, and eventually obtained the rank of Chief. I specialized in Child Abuse investigations, and was considered an expert in occult and cult crimes; providing assistance to both law enforcement agencies throughout the country and government agencies, and appeared on various television programs. During this time I also served as a founding member of CMERT, acting as the Hostage Negotiations Commander. I could go on for pages sharing the professional organizations I belonged to such as the Montgomery County Chiefs of Police Association; International Chiefs of Police Association; Homicide Investigator’s Association; Negotiator’s Association and so many others; all of the schools and certificates earned; awards attained. After 35 years of memories and friendships, I retired from the police department in 2006. But the fact is that these memories and friendships were all part of a wonderful, rewarding, and most enjoyable life one could experience. I was a volunteer paramedic for a number of years working out of Goodwill station in Pottstown where I also volunteered as a firefighter, served as Treasurer for a time, and at one point sat on the Board of Directors. I also worked with the Sanatoga and Ringing Hill Fire Stations where I held life memberships. Memories of cooking on Bingo Sunday at “the Hill” were always so much fun. All brought great satisfaction. After retirement I worked temporarily for the Borough of Pottstown where my primary assignment was overseeing the airport where I started flying lessons. I then worked for Sears in Pottstown and in Camp Hill in the capacity of Loss Prevention Manager and Operations Manager, until I was forced to retire due to the cancer. Besides being blessed with great and successful careers, I have also had the opportunity to serve as teacher for over 40 years at several local churches; Grace and New Hanover Lutheran, and St. Aloysius and St. Columbkill Catholic, working primarily with youth. I derived such pleasure working with the children, especially with my wife Jan and I acting as facilitators for several years in a youth group where one of the young members grew to become an ordained priest and another became a school principal. I cannot begin to thank all who worked with me over the years; teachers, mentors, and the many youth - all who added to my life’s great enjoyment. My life was also blessed with two brothers; Gary Joseph, a deputy sheriff in Tahama County, California, until his death in 1989, and the youngest Terry, who is still a Firefighter for the Borough of Pottstown. They both elected to serve the public and our Country by enlisting in the Air Force; Gary during Vietnam and Terry a few years later. I have fond memories of my brothers and the time I spent with their wonderful families. Jan and I loved to travel both with family and just the two of us. My favorite destinations were Rehoboth Beach, the Outer Banks, Quebec, where we spent our honeymoon, and especially New England and Cape Cod. One of my favorite memories was walking on the Nauset Light Beach at midnight with the October full moon being our only guide. Jan and I married in May of 1973, and she was my one and only love until the end. We shared everything - we were both avid readers and loved the Civil War. We began travelling to Civil War battlefields where our ancestors fought with the 53rd Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry. This led to an interest in Genealogy which my wife pursued. I was amazed at the information she gathered on my family, reaching back through time to the 1600’s and eventually led to the discovery of new family - family we enjoyed getting to know at reunions in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, meeting relatives I never knew we had . I have made my peace with the Lord and am prepared to cross the bar. I was given a gift of life in the service of the Lord and His people, and now I must give it back. Thank you to all who have contributed to this wonderful journey, both friends and family, and may God forever bless you. Surviving is my wonderful wife Jan L. (Helfrich) Bechtel, Gilbertsville; my two sons, Raymond Bechtel III and his wife Teri, Gilbertsville; Brian Bechtel and his wife Bethlyn, Pottstown; my brother Terry Bechtel and his wife Karen, Barto; my five grandchildren, Justyn, Annabel, Nathaniel, Josephine, Danielle; and my nieces and nephews Bethany, Zachary, Brandon and Lindsay.” A Celebration of Ray’s life will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday September 19, 2015 at New Hanover Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville, PA 19525. Relatives and friends may greet the family from 9 until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Interment will be private. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at Copperfields Inn at Lakeside, 594 West Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19468. In lieu of flowers, we are requesting that donations be made to the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, a local facility in Montgomery County dedicated to achieving healing and justice for victims of child abuse. Ray devoted a majority of his life to children both as a Detective specializing in child abuse for much of his career, and as a mentor and teacher to the youth at several local churches. This will certainly support his legacy. Donations can be made on their web site at www.missionkidscac.org or mailed to the facility at 502 West Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403. Arrangements are by the Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory, at 359 King St. in Pottstown, PA. Our web site exists to serve the friends and family of the deceased. Go to http://www.schumacherandbenner.com to extend sympathies and access additional service details.