Raymond L. Eden

July 19, 1925 - April 22, 2014
Raymond L. Eden of Thousand Oaks passed away April 22, 2014 surrounded by loving family. Ray was an accomplished health care executive, loving husband and father who was tireless in his philanthropy, always helping others and making our world a better place. Ray was born in Lee, Illinois on July 19, 1925 to Hannah and Sven Eden, Norwegian immigrants. At 18, Ray joined the Army and received a Purple Heart due to an injury in the Battle of Remagen. Ray returned home to marry Ellen Mae Mercer of Waterman, Illinois on August 17, 1945. Ray retired as Dean of Administration of the UCLA School of Medicine in 1994 having been appointed to this position in 1986 by Dr. Kenneth I. Shine. Previously Ray served since 1970 as Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association in LA, Executive Director of the California and Illinois Heart Association and in senior management positions at the Easter Seal Society and Crippled Children's Center. Ray was educated at Northern Illinois University, USC, Northwestern and Claremont. He was a 32nd degree Shriner, active in many roles including VP of the Board of Directors for Comprehensive Health Planning for LA County, President of the LA Council of National Voluntary Health Agencies and Executive Committee member of the California Biomedical Research Association. The family lived on the ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes since 1970 moving to Thousand Oaks in 2001. They were proud members of the California Club for many years. Ray was Moderator of the Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes, on the Board of Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, pivotal in the formation of the Harbor Inter-Faith Shelter and very active with many other organizations. Ray loved to sing and performed in many productions including 'Hello Dolly' with Martha Raye. In later years Ray enjoyed golf, Barbershop quartets, musical productions and working with friend Dick Van Dyke fundraising for music in schools. The Eden's enjoyed many trips across the globe with a passion for Hawaii and Norway. Ray is survived by wife Ellen, son Steven and devoted son-in-law Jon Tanaka.
A gravesite service will occur at 2:00PM on May 2nd at Green Hills in Palos Verdes with an informal celebration of life later this summer. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association.