E. Raymond Hapeman

E. Raymond Hapeman, better known as Ray, Army Captain, Dad, or Papa, passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones on July 9, 2024.
Ray was born on June 11, 1938, in Jersey City, NJ. With a father in the US Army, Ray and his brother, Phil, spent their childhood as 'army brats', growing up across the US, and abroad in Korea and France. This early experience of traveling shaped Ray into the curious and principled leader he became in the Army and beyond.
Following his 1956 West Orange High School graduation, Ray attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the class of 1960. After proud completion of Ranger and Airborne Schools he demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to his country during his 7 years service, stationed primarily in the US, Germany, and Korea. Ray also earned a Masters in Business Administration from Rutgers in 1972.
Ray married his wife, Joanmarie, at West Point on December 31, 1960. While serving abroad, he and his wife had three children, Eleanor, Teresa, and Chris. Ray was honorably discharged from the Army with the hope to raise their family in one place, a goal he and Joanmarie achieved, having never changed their address. After the Army, Ray worked in global telecommunication standards, continuing to travel abroad and shape processes and procedures (two of his favorite things) for the community. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he and Joanmarie traveled extensively throughout the world and fulfilled a bucket list achievement of visiting all 50 states.
In his spare time, Ray was a lifelong learner, always excited to find a new history fact, master the NYT Sunday crossword, or dominate in Trivial Pursuit. Always happy to find a reason to laugh, Ray was funny, and sometimes it was on purpose! He was a season ticket-holding Yankee fan who would never leave a game early. Ray stayed connected to the long gray line by tailgating countless football games, volunteering, and as Vice President of the West Point Society of New Jersey. An eloquent speaker, he also volunteered with his community at St Mary's Catholic Church in Middletown, NJ as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher, and Bible Study facilitator.
The best storyteller, Ray thrived at grandfatherhood. He is loved and missed by his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who will forever share with both tears and laughs his many anecdotes and proverbs. Ray is also survived by his loving wife, their three children, brother, and son-in-law, all of whom miss him dearly. Ray was pre-deceased by his parents Elmer and Jeanette.
A funeral mass will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel, The United States Military Academy West Point, New York at 10am on August 14 followed immediately by a final salute at West Point Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would much appreciate a memorial donation be made to RWJMS Department of Neurology, Movement Disorder Research Fund for Dr. Marco Russo's research on understanding the complex etiologies of parkinsonism and neurodegenerative disease. Donations can be made at rutgersfoundation.org/RayHapeman via clicking the link below, or by mail to Rutgers University Foundation, P.O. Box 193, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0193. Please indicate when making your gift online (or by writing on your check) that your gift is in memory of Ray Hapeman, and in honor of Dr. Marco Russo.
Duty. Honor. Country.
"Well done. Be thou at peace"
"Grip Hands"
Protocols for attending services at USMA West Point:
Being a military post, The Academy follows strict security protocols. We have been instructed to gather in the parking lot of William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY 10928, by 9:20 am on August 14. At approximately 9:30 we will proceed to the Academy via Military Police escort. West Point strongly advises that we do not miss this MP escorted procession however, if the departure is missed, please go to the West Point Visitor Control Center at 2107 New South Post Road, West Point, NY 10996 to secure a daily visitors pass and directions to the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel (not the Cadet Chapel).
Please be aware that West Point requires you to have government issued identification (driver's license is sufficient) to get onto the post.