Ray Henry Kliewer

Ray Kliewer was born on October 8, 1929 in Tulare, CA, son of Lydia (Heinrichs) and John J. Kliewer. He grew up in Norwalk, Reedley, and Dinuba CA, mostly living on small farms where he developed his love of dairy cattle. He attended church with his family and came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour at an early age. In 1947 he graduated from Dinuba High School. He attended Pasadena Nazarene College in CA where he met the love of his life, Marian Linscheid, and they married on April 22, 1950. Ray earned his Bachelors in Science degree from CA Polytechnic Institute, then OR State University for his Master’s Degree in Dairy Husbandry in 1960. He attended MI State University and earned his PhD from CA Western University in 1982. Ray worked as a professor at OSU in genetics and managed their dairy herd. In 1968 he coached an OSU team which won the national dairy judging contest. This brought him to the attention of the Holstein Friesen Association in Brattleboro, VT and he went to work there as their Director of Research & Development. In that position he traveled to 52 countries improving their dairy production.

Ray’s beloved wife, Marian, passed away in 2019 after 69 years of marriage. He is survived by his two daughters, Rhonda Swensen of Manchester and her husband, Chuck; and Heather Parris of Puerto Morelos, Mexico; five grandchildren: Heidi Swensen Wallace and her husband, Brian Wallace, of Fayetteville, NC; Andrew Swensen and his wife, Chaya Swensen, of Columbia, TN; Stephen Barbour and his wife, Stephanie Barbour, of Loveland, CO; Jeffrey Barbour and his wife, Baille Barbour, of Erie, CO; Elizabeth Barbour and Javon Lewis of Westminster, CO. His great-grandchildren are: Benjamin, Abigail, and Kathryn Wallace; Asher and Stone Swensen; Hailey and Riley Barbour; Emery, Marshall, and Cullen Barbour; and Jaydn and Jordan Lewis. Ray has two great grandchildren who predeceased him and were waiting in heaven to meet him. Ray leaves his brother, Larry, in Phelan, CA. He was predeceased by his brothers Alfred and Ronald, and sisters Kathleen and Valada, all of CA.

Ray’s Celebration of Life with be held in the Event Center at Covenant Living of Cromwell,

52 Missionary Road in Cromwell, CT on Wednesday, April 8 at 1:30 pm, followed by a light reception. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Donations may be given to the Benevolent Care Fund of Covenant Living of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416, in honor of Ray Kliewer.