Ray Henkel

1931 - 2017

Henkel, Ray
Ray was born Jan. 28, 1931 on a farm in Mannford, OK along the Cimarron River 30 miles west of Tulsa. He died March 11, 2017 at age 86. He was the son of Ed Henkel and Margaret Ann Adams Henkel. He had two older half-brothers, John and Arthur Huff, and three brothers. Ray attended a one-room school, and then attended Kellyville High School, graduating with a class of 15 as valedictorian. He had a photographic memory, so school was always easy for him. Finishing high school in 1948, he came to Arizona with his family to pick cotton, and then followed a migratory path in the Northwest picking fruit and vegetables. He was drafted by the Army, and soon was commissioned an officer in the Corps of Engineers. His job was selecting sites for airfields and building them, as well as building radar stations on islands off the coast of Korea. After discharge, he returned to Arizona to work on farms, and attended ASU, graduating in 1960. He went to the U. of Wisconsin for his M.A. and Ph.D. work. His research was on tropical settlements and agriculture, particularly on coca production. He became the premier expert on the production, processing, transport and distribution of cocaine. He taught at ASU from 1966 to 1995, with leaves to teach two years in Zambia and one at New Mexico State. He was a very popular teacher, and students flocked to his classes. He was particularly known for his work with undergraduates, but he guided many M.A. students as well. Ray is survived by three brothers Junior, Clifford and Ralph. Burial service and memorial will take place on March 24, 2017. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ray Henkel Scholarship, C/O ASU Foundation, PO Box 2260, Tempe, AZ 85280-2260, or AZ Humane Society, 1521 W Dobbins, Phoenix, AZ 85041. For service information see http://www.messingermortuary.com/html/obits/obituaries.asp?listing_id=199950