Ray R. Bockman

1945 - 2025

Ray R. Bockman
Born: March 8, 1945 in Pontiac, IL
Died: January 16, 2025 in DeKalb, IL
Ray R. Bockman, 79, of DeKalb, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by the people he loved.
Ray was born March 8, 1945 in Pontiac, Illinois, to Ray Henry and Betty Bockman. After graduating from Oak Lawn High School, Ray embarked on a life of service. His journey began with enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving overseas in Germany. Ray focused his studies on service as well, attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, earning a B.A. in Community Development at Northeastern Illinois University, and his Master of Public Administration at Northern Illinois University.
Ray strongly believed that government was established to help people when their problems fell beyond their individual abilities to solve them. Ray carved out his career in service to his community and desire to leave the world a better place than he had found it, beginning with LaSalle County Youth Services and Employment and Training Services in Kendall and DeKalb counties. It was there that Ray met the love of his life, Irene, with whom he made his home and family with their two sons, Jeremy and Robert. He retired in 2012 after serving as the County Administrator for DeKalb County for 28 years. In his retirement, Ray enjoyed sharing time with friends, golfing with Robert, traveling with Irene, and fishing with Jeremy. For the past 35 years, Ray cultivated his purpose supporting people recovering from addiction.
Ray believed in redemption-in second, and sometimes infinite, chances. Instead of regret, Ray said, "the second-best time is now." He relentlessly championed the underdog, from his beloved Chicago Bears to a stranger suffering through a difficult time. He believed in accepting things for what they were while forever fostering hope for improvement. Ray will be remembered for the tremendous impact of his work in DeKalb County, as well as his ability to put things into perspective, his riveting and humorous tales of misadventures, his knack for persuasion, and his empathetic heart.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents. Ray is survived by his wife, Irene, sister, Hope, and sons, Robert and Jeremy (Shannon Clapsaddle). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to DeKalb County Forest Preserve. If you would like to honor Ray, cheer confidently for your favorite underdog, enjoy a walk at Sycamore Forest Preserve, or dedicate some time to help your community and the people who live there.
A celebration of Ray's life will be planned at a later date.