Raymond Victor Sirtak

Sirtak, Raymond  Victor, baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Thursday, September 25, 2025 at the age of 91. 
Beloved husband of 48 years of Mary Lou Sirtak (nee Graves); loving father of Becky (Roger) Leesmann, Julie Roland and Trent (Jennifer) Roland; grandfather of Amy Vitale, Cheryl (Chris) Parker, Jordan Roland, Jax Roland and Robyn (Drew) Meininger; great-grandfather of Hunter, Sawyer and Olive; dear brother-in-law of Wanda Noel, Virginia Cagle, Evelyn Holder and Norma (Alan) Luensmann; uncle of Tina (James) Lindsay, Steven (Monica) Noel, Andrea (Brian) Sudler, Kevin Wagner, David Wagner, Vicky Holder, Derrick (Amy) Holder, Michael Luensmann and the late Brian Luensmann; loving great uncle, cousin and friend to many.  

Ray Sirtak, born in St. Louis, MO on November 4, 1933, and died on September 25, 2025 in Ballwin, MO. Ray was raised by his mother, Mary D'Amato Sirtak, and father, Victor Sirtak, in E. St. Louis, IL. As a member of St. Elizabeth's Parish, Ray graduated from their Parochial Grade School, and, in 1951, from Central Catholic High School in E. St. Louis, IL. His parents insisted Ray attend college locally believing it was the most economical approach. He was accepted by St. Louis University Institute of Technology in their Electronics Engineering course. Ray played varsity baseball for the Billikens for 2 years. He received his Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering in June 1955. 

Ray accepted an offer to join the Engineering staff at McDonnell Aircraft Company immediately after graduation. He was assigned to the Microwave Laboratory where he was a Test Engineer. After one year of employment, Ray was drafted in the U.S. Army. Ray's military service started at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he took 8 weeks of basic training. After graduating, Ray was assigned to the Scientific and Professional Personal Program (SPP). The Army was trying to better utilize their highly educated personnel. The remainder of Ray's 2 year commitment was spent at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, a Chemical Corps facility where Chemical, Biological and Radiological agents were developed for munitions applications. There, Ray was assigned to the Development Engineering group where he was given the responsibility to develop improvements to the design of their test area meteorological instrumentation. After his 2 year commitment, Ray returned to E. St. Louis and his position at McDonnell Aircraft Company. 

Ray's assignments after his return varied greatly. He became responsible for pre and post installation testing of all RF components of all MERCURY spacecraft. The MERCURY program put the first US man into space. Subsequently, in 1962, Ray was assigned to the ASSET Communications Systems. Ray participated in 3 vehicle launches at Cape Kennedy, Florida. 

In 1968, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and Douglas Aircraft Corporation merged becoming McDonnell Douglas Corporation. At that time, McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company's Western Division (MDAC-WD) won a contract for the SPARTAN MISSILE SYSTEM and MCAC-ED was assigned to design and develop the electronic ground support equipment. Ray was chosen to be the MDAC-ED local representative on the program in Culver City, CA. In 1973 the SPARTAN PROGRAM ended in St. Louis and Ray went to Dallas, Texas to be the local MDAC-ED representative on the HARPOON MISSILE RADAR SEEKER being developed by Texas Instruments. 

In 1975, Ray returned to St. Louis as the Harpoon Radar Seeker Contract End Item Manager through the first production buy of Harpoon Missiles. From 1978 to 1982, Ray worked on various improvements to the HARPOON RADAR SEEKER. From 1982 to 1987, Ray worked on Proprietary Programs. From 1987 to 1988, Ray joined the pre-proposal study on the Space Station Crew Emergency Return Vehicle as the lead Communications System Engineer. 

From 1988 to 1990, Ray led a proposal team to a winning effort on a program called HAVE TORCH which was involved with putting a LASER RADAR on an existing air-to-air missile. As Project Manager on this program, he coordinated the study with his U.S. Air Force counterpart until the program was cancelled to save USA funds. 

Ray then joined the Advanced Cruise Missile program as Production Manager of 7 Guidance System electronics boxes at McDonnell Douglas Electronics Company. At the end of that program, Ray joined the MCAIR T-45 Trainer Program in a Procurement technical capacity. In June 1995, Ray decided to call it quits and retire after 40 years of service. 
 
Services:   Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 17 Ann Ave, Valley Park, Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.  Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.