Raymond P. "Ray" Herrmann

Dear Joy and Family,
We never personally met, but having interacted with Ray--first as a client/customer, then as a valued colleague--I know that he always, always put his family first. Ray was both stubborn and resourceful, always at the ready with new ideas and to defend his POV. We did business together in the 1990s, and then as publishers at R&I and Chain Leader magazine. Ray was both practical and imaginative, who early on recognized the growing value of "live" conferences and meetings that brought readers/operators together with manufacturers. "Chain Leader Live" was just one example. Live meetings indeed are the new rule of the food media business today. I learned a lot from Ray about the foodbiz, and about myself, in the very short time we worked together. I shall miss him.
Hope the memories of the life you lived together sustain you now and through all the days to come. May he rest in eternal peace.
Gratefully, Jerry White

I´ve known Ray ever since Joy´s father and I got married in 2009. I have felt close to them as a family and Ray and Joy became very special to me. When we go north in the summer from Florida we always stay with them. It was always a good time and Ray even made sure I got the Diet 5 Cranberry juice I needed. He would remember and have it on hand. I think he began to like it as well.

I remember the great barbecue steak dinners which he prepared in such an excellent, tasty way. He didn´t really enjoy playing table games but he would play some of the card games with us to be a good host and he actually seemed to enjoy it, especially when he would win.

I´m thankful I got to know Ray and to see how he took such good care of his family as well as is extended family and friends.

My prayers are with Joy and family. I had hoped to attend the funeral but some unexpected medical problems keep me from traveling. Happy that Joy´s father Paul Say can fly up from Florida.