Raymond Milton Henderson

Such a nice person, was gone too soon at such a young age

I met Ray when I transferred to Honeywell's McLean, VA office in the mid 80's. Ray was one of those people who warmed up slowly but once he got to know you, WOW! I am better for having known Ray. I know most of you feel the same. My condolences to Ann and Andre. Raymond, may you Rest in Peace my friend.

we were neighbors for many years and kept in touch when he moved to Cobb Island. I just talked with him the last days. I was planning on visiting again. Ray was a kind and great neighbor. I was very sad to get a note from a fellow neighbor of his passing. Gary Wilson

The world has truly lost a wonderful individual and a true gentleman who was blessed with intelligence and personality. Rest In Peace Ray.

Ray's unexpected death has hit me pretty hard, as I'm sure it did most of his friends. The many characterizations of him as loyal friend, sweet man, genuine, dependable,,,,are all really true in his case,
I have known Ray since he was 18 .We first worked together in '67-68.where we, along with Gary Buete, began our DP careers with PhilcoFord.
Ray was as nervous at his first job out in the world as you might expect, but he handled it his good-natured way, laughing quietly when we rode him in fun.
I have many good Raymond tales, most all of them very G rated, here is one of the first. As soon as he could swing it, Ray bought his first new car, a Ford Gran Turino, and brought it down to Pocomoke. He told us after a week or so that he was regretting buying the car. Apppparently Babe had to go with him to take delivery, and was reading the warrenty/manual on the wat home. They discovered that the two of them together exceeded the weight limit for the car. He was worried he would void the warranty!
When I asked him what he was going to do about it, he said how would like to be the one that tells Babe he has to go on a diet?
That was the first I remember of his quiet, charming sense of humor. I'll miss him, I already do.
Gordon Burger
RIP Raymond, my pal

Everlasting peace to Ray and comfort for his family and friends. I worked with him for many years at Honeywell/HFSI and the memories are vivid - a wonderful sly smile and twinkle in his kind eyes. I remember his natural leadership, sense of humor and genuine friendship. HFSI has always been a special family and Ray, a cherished member. Memories will be kept close in thought and heart. Blessings...

Mary and I were devastated to hear the news about Raymond. We had last seen him in October, when the three of us and Ken Hills spent the day at Cobb Island, just sitting on the deck watching the water. The day was topped off with dinner at Shymansky's.

I worked for Raymond in the Benchmark group for about eight years after I graduated from the Level 6 training program in 1979. I have never been a part of an organization like that since. Raymond's team was truly unique. We worked hard and we played hard. We spent most of our time on the road, either in Billerica/Lawrence or Phoenix, and we were like family.

Raymond rejected my first expense report. After a trip to Billerica, where I spent two weeks living on McDonald's, I submitted the report, spending about $10 each day on food. Raymond told me I had to spend more; it made everyone else look bad!

HUD, SNAP, and SCOAP are just a few of the projects that come to mind. Raymond was always there to support us, offering tips on how we might make a mix run just a little bit faster. When the troops started getting on each other's nerves, Raymond's calming influence always got us through.

No matter how much time passed between get togethers, we could always pick right up telling war stories of benchmarks past. He was a true friend, and we will both miss him.

Ray was my first boss at Oracle and at SAIC. He was also my friend for many years. He was kind and thoughtful. With soulful eyes and a way of communicating that made people trust him. He could make complicated problems so small and easy. I will truly miss him. He is gone too soon. I pray and believe he is at peace and truly happy. Much Love and prayers for Anne and Andre and all his family who feel his absence. I pray also for their comfort and peace.

I'm moved by all the beautiful tributes to Raymond. That is a true testament to the man he was.

Like others, I had the pleasure of boating with him a few times. Those were always great days!

He was my boss for a short time - always nurturing and supportive.

Thank you for being our friend. We will all miss you, Raymond.

First met Ray while at Honeywell. He was a very generous man, great guy to work and fish with. He did love to fish! If we were not catching them, we were talking about them. Best part of the day after fishing and cleaning the boat was having dinner across the street. More fish stories! Nothing but good things to say about Ray. He will not be forgotten. - Pedro.

When I came over from England to Virginia in 1998 to work on the Government Energy system, Ray was the person who made me and my husband most welcome of all the team. I came to him frequently to unload concerns and to hear his good advice. I was glad when he took the project over from me when I departed. Thank you Ray - keep watching out for us all up there in heaven.

I will miss you very much dear Ray. You were a friend first and foremost. You were a brilliant, selfless, mentoring colleague next. I will never forget our years of working together. How you laughed at all these new-fangled technologies, you hardy programmer! How you so kindly asked us to repeat things to you, as you said "I am from Southern Maryland, say it slowly again" not because you didn't get it (you clever owl, you understood things immediately) but to make things clear to us!
How you led us back from spinning about technical issues by saying "Lets branch and reset", using your assembler coding lingo. How enthusiastic you were to learn something new...
I knew what "chum" was when I went fishing with you and you taught me about blue fish, croaker, rock fish and more.

I will miss you my dear friend. Happy fishing wherever you are!

Ray was a special man, full of life and quiet strength. I have fond memories of the VA Benchmark while at Honeywell, (2 times as I recall), where Ray was the voice of reason and stability as we stumbled through all the constantly changing and vague requirements that the Government threw our way. I never saw him lose his cool. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Dorrie Schofield

With many fond memories of Ray when we worked together at the Space Center. Roy Leadbeater

Ray was a very special person in my life. He was my Best Friend in grade school, in Boy Scouts, in our high school years and into our adulthood as we commuted together to go back to college or computer training after a weekend back home in Indian Head. My first camp out was in his pup tent beside his house. Ray is the person who got me interested in Boy Scouts where we both served as Patrol Leaders and rose through the ranks together. We were tent mates at our first Boy Scout summer camp at Camp Roosevelt on the Chesapeake Bay. I enjoyed fishing trips to Cobb Island with Ray and his Dad and enjoyed being with both of them and I learned a lot from them. As neighbors, we spent many hours playing baseball in the field next to his house. From ninth grade through our senior year we were busy members of the Audio Visual Club working on many high school plays together. We were even teamed together for Driver's Ed training and later working on the Senior Yearbook together.
After our years of education we followed different career paths in different states but always enjoyed seeing each other and catching up during our many high school class reunions. It was wonderful seeing and spending some time with him at our 50th Class Reunion this summer. We were planning to get together this summer to go out on his boat and do some fishing like we did in the old days.
I have many fond memories of this great guy. Ray Henderson was a true friend who was kind to all and was well liked by everyone. I will miss him as I know so many others will as well. God Bless you Ray!
Roger Neff

Since knowing him in 2007, I constantly turned to Ray for ideas and insights, the kind that are only possible from decades of success in an ever changing, fast paced industry. I remembered the numerous times when I called Ray, and he always offered a listening ear and then advised me through tough challenges. I enjoyed listening to him talking about his boats, and his trips over the weekend on the waters. In the hectic IT world at work, Ray is a rare combination of friendship, mentorship, resourcefulness, respectfulness and above all a never-fading passion for life and excellence. The last time I talked to him was several months ago, and it was about an opportunity for developing a system with a new client. He never wanted to stop making a difference. He will always be a source of strength to me and, as I believe, to everyone who came to know him.

May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this very sad time
Psalms 29:11

Ann, Andre and family.....we were so very sorry to hear of Ray's passing, he was such friendly person and was so glad we got to spend a little bit of time with him while he was here in Fla. He really seemed to enjoy having drinks and dinner with the group. So very sorry for your loss and he was so young. Lee & Betty Harkey, Fla

I got to know Ray the last couple months while working together. An incredible warm and caring person whom will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to the family as you work through this difficult time. May the great memories comfort you! Ray was a great guy!

Ann, Here is the second email from yesterday. Another funny with Ray........we all caught blue and he cleaned them up so we could take them home to cook and enjoy. I was SO proud of myself and was probably obnoxiously so. Went home, cranked up the gas grill, threw a big salad together and was set to go. However, our dear beloved Ray conveniently neglected to tell me that I first needed to soak it in milk for an hour. How would I know?? Cooked it up, sat down at the table, took a bite and it was all I could do to not toss my cookies. It was the most TERRIBLE food I had ever put into my mouth. When I ran into Ray Monday morning he turned his back on me and sweetly asked how my dinner was. He tried so hard not to laugh but could not hold it in. What a set-up that was. Loved him. As I know you did. Ludy

Ann, As you requested....here is one of the emails I sent yesterday. Oh....I am sitting here fighting back tears. I worked so very closely with Ray while I was working on many different projects. He always found a way to make things appear to be working smoothly even when they weren't during benchmarks. I think of him often in the summertime. I remember spending many weekends each year out fishing with him and a few others. We'd go out for blues, and we would drive each other crazy. I don't do worms well, nor do I take fish off hooks well, either. Too icky for me. Ken, I think you were on one of those trips when we were out in "blue area"; he put a worm on my hook, and I quietly pulled a big box of Cheese-its from my backpack and went to the back of the boat. Ray wanted to know if I was going to share them and I emphatically said "No way, this is my chum." He laughed so hard I thought he would hurt himself. I threw my line out, tossed out a couple hands full of Cheese-its and PRESTO! I got one. He had to take the fish off and put a worm on for me, then out went more Cheese-Its, and before he could get his line in, I had another one! He was so incredulous...all we could do was sit back laughing at and with him. Every time I see a big display of Cheese-its in the store I smile remembering his disbelief that I could lure a fish with them. I will always remember his "can do" spirit and that wonderful smile he would get when he was able to pull a prank on us. Does anyone have a mailing address for his sister? I would like to send a note to her. If so, please send to [email protected]

Ann and Andre, our hearts go out to your family for the loss of your brother and our friend, Ray. We feel fortunate to have seen him at our 50th High School Class Reunion last summer. Ray was a good friend and sweet person. Our prayers are with you.

Ann & Andre, our thougths are with you and we wish you strength in this time of great loss and emotional hardship.

Ann and Andre, we are so sorry for your loss. So glad we got to know Raymond when he was in Florida. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.