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Raymond Fifer Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Fifer
Deane McKercher
August 6, 2013
Sorry to hear about my fellow classmate
Ray...We both were in Junior Band at Three Rivers, Michigan, and wound up in the Western Michigan University marching band during the early fifties.
(Leonard Meretta, director). I share in the many messages of condolence offered
his family at this time.
August 3, 2013
Audrey Childers
July 29, 2013
I marched next to Ray at USC and always enjoyed spending time with him. He always had a joke or a smile and he never complained (unlike the rest of us!). He made such an impression on me. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. What a special man!
Priscilla Tang
July 11, 2013
Ray Fifer delighted us aspiring, eager, college students aboard Semester at Sea Fall '06 with his music, wisdom and friendship. He really enjoyed many education-filled days at sea, and fun adventurous ones at port! With his beloved wife Gretchen, as a loving couple, they decided to invite me to be one among the blessed members of their shipboard family to have dinners together (we were given advance notice with Garfield notes at our cabin doors). I affectionately called Ray my "adopted grandfather." Indeed, you were a bright and shining star! Dear Gretchen you are so special and always welcome at the Tang residence in Canada. Warm sympathies, with many hugs, and continued prayers.
Kim (Peak) Taylor
July 10, 2013
A wonderfully kind and gentle spirit who was such a part of my growing up years....many nights spent in the Fifer home....Mr. Fifer always welcomed 'the girls' on Friday nights...a sweet memory....
Sheila Reedy
July 10, 2013
Mr. Fifer was always incredibly kind to me. His gentle spirit always made me feel comfortable, despite my extreme shyness. I feel lucky to have known him. I will continue to pray for comfort for his family.
Dennis Galletta
July 4, 2013
We are so sorry for the family. We enjoyed Ray's friendship from the first time we saw him. One of my fondest memories of Ray was when we hit awful water and I posed Gretchen and Ray having trouble walking down the hallway of the ship. They planned to pose and pretend they were having trouble, but the ship rocked severely and they didn't have to pretend any more. Ray and Gretchen were always at reunions and active on the on-line Community. We will miss Ray.
Julie Kiefer
June 25, 2013
Ray and Gretchen were part of my shipboard family on the Fall 1999 Semester at Sea voyage. I enjoyed our excursions in port together and traveling the world with them. We miss you, Ray!
Ray and Gretchen ready to set sail.
Charles Tsai
June 25, 2013
I've seen Ray and Gretchen many times since we sailed together on Fall 1999 and I've always enjoyed our trips together on the SAS ships. You are missed, Ray.
Gretchen Fifer
June 21, 2013
Thanks to all who posted---Ray loved all of you. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
Karen Burns
June 21, 2013
I was fortunate to sail with Ray and Gretchen on Semester at Sea. Ray was beloved by the students and all his fellow passengers. He was a role model and 'adopted grandfather' to everyone on board and he will be very much missed by our whole SAS family. Rest in Peace Ray. I will celebrate your life by striving to live with the same kindness and grace you shared with us on every voyage.
Dave Slack
June 15, 2013
I was most saddened to read of Mr. Fifers passing and offer my most sincere condolances. Way back in 1980, just after graduating from USC, Mr. Fifer gave me a chance by hiring me as an associate programmer at UNIROYAL in Winnsborow SC. He gave me the start I needed and I will be enternally gratefull to him. No one ever had a better first boss, he was so patient with me; bringing me gently but efficiently into the demanding world of data processing which I am still in to this day. There is something special about a first boss (it can be good or bad) and Mr.Fifer was the best.
SAS Reunion 2009
Kelly Jackson
June 15, 2013
I traveled with Ray and Gretchen on Semester at Sea (Fall 2002) and many times after on SAS Reunion Voyages. Ray was such a wonderful role model, musician, and teacher. I will always remember the nights he played for us on the ship and all the wonderful memories traveling with him and Gretchen. He will be missed!
Stephanie Speck Bond
June 14, 2013
I too had the pleasure of marching with Ray in the Carolina Band. Such a wonderful, kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Jim Copenhaver
June 14, 2013
My caring thoughts are extended to Gretchen and family at this time of grief and sorrow with the passing of Ray. He was a wonderful person and an inspiration to me and USC band students as a retiree participating saxophonist in the organization for several years. A highlight that I recall that Ray truly valued was his performing in a halftime show that featured him in the Carolina Band and his daughter in the Clemson Tiger Band. Ray was an individual that I will remember with admiration.
Vicki Womble Strickland
June 14, 2013
It was a pleasure to march with Ray in the Carolina Band. He was a great person to be around and it inspired me to see him continue to participate in music even in his retirement years. Ray was a great role model for us and he will be missed!
June 14, 2013
I was deeply saddened to learn of Ray's passing. Ray & I were roommates at Western Mich. Univ. We were in the same curriculum, but we couldn't have been more different. He was in music & I was on the varsity track team. We never had a disagreement or spoke an unkind word to each other. His dance band played at many of Western's dances. He knew Stan Kenton's Harlem Nocturn was Ann (my wife of 58 years)& I was our favorite song & of course he enjoyed playing it for us on his alto sax. I'm glad I had the pleasure of having him in my life.
Jerry & Ann Leland
Lynn (Negri) Roldan
June 14, 2013
I had the pleasure and the honor of marching with Ray in the Carolina Band. I was always tickled at how he would laugh and smile at all our antics (I lined up for pre-game next to him). He was such a good role model amid our craziness. Perhaps we behaved ourselves a little more than we might have, out of respect for him. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know him. He was a gem. My deepest sympathy to his family on the loss of this great man.
Mariam Jahangiri
June 13, 2013
RIP Ray. You made SAS the joy is was.
Jon Ives
June 13, 2013
I was in the Carolina Band with Ray. I didn't know him well, but knowing him just a little was all it took to see what a genuinely nice man he was! It was great having him with us. My sympathies to his family.
Anne Morrison
June 13, 2013
I met Ray thru USC marching band too. He was such a delightful man and always had a smile. Rest in peace, Ray
Semester at Sea! Another great love of both my parents.
Mary Hanna
June 13, 2013
Ready for the game!
Mary Hanna
June 13, 2013
Dad's saxophone and the Carolina Band Uniform he was so proud to wear.
Mary Hanna
June 13, 2013
Pat Wylie
June 13, 2013
Ray was a great man and I always admired him for "following a dream" and marching with The Carolina Band at the age when many folks are "gearing down". It was a treat - a pleasure - to know him. Sincere condolences to all of the family.
Deanna Buxton (Fitzwater)
June 13, 2013
I met Ray when I was in the marching band at USC from 1986-88, and he would participate in the alumni band each year. He was such a nice man and always fun to be around. I always looked forward to seeing him each year that I participated, and am sad to know he is gone. Many thoughts and prayers for his family.
Robert Burkett
June 13, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Ray's passing I had the pleasure of being in the sax section of the USC Marching Band with Ray. He was a wonderful man.
Chuck Bryan
June 13, 2013
I met Ray at USC in the marching band. Just a great guy who hung around with us kids.
Anne Marie Green
June 13, 2013
Ray was a neat, fun gentleman and a great influence on the college band kids who had the privilege to play & march with him when he joined the USC Marching Band after retirement. It was so great to see someone whose love for music, even when his career was something altogether different, led him to return with his saxophone to the marching band field as an "old guy." Ray was fun, funny, and kind and I am still inspired by his dedication.
David Woodard
June 13, 2013
I enjoyed meeting and talking to Ray during Carolina games, graduate school and my few times with the USC Alumni Band. He will be missed and his legacy with the Carolina Band Cherished.
Brian Henson
June 13, 2013
I had the pleasure of marching with Ray at USC in the early 90's. He was a great person and had a genuine love for music education and the students in the USC band program. He will be greatly missed.
June 13, 2013
Nancy Johnston (Halifax NS) and Joyce MacDow (Halifax, NS). Joyce and I wish to send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We didn't know him for long but his wonderful personality came through. Our deepest sympathy.
June 13, 2013
I also knew Ray from the USC Marching Band and would like to extend my condolences to his family and friends. As has been said, Ray was a gentleman and inspiration to us all.
Daryl Byrd
June 13, 2013
I had the opportunity to get to know Ray while we marched together in the Carolina Band. He was an inspiration to us all.
I had the honor of marching with Ray in the Carolina Band. He was an inspiration to us all and I am blessed for having known him. March on, Ray!
Barrie Lewis Glasscock
June 13, 2013
Jill Keesey
June 13, 2013
I had the honor of marching with Ray at USC. He was a wonderful man. My prayers are with you.
Melissa Wingate Oswalt
June 13, 2013
What a nice man. I had great respect for his choice to put so much work into marching band "just for fun" - good role model for us back then.
June 13, 2013
So sorry to hear about your loss.
What fond memories we have of Ray
(& Gretchen) on our SAS voyage.
Michael & Vi Bikerman
Christie Priode
June 13, 2013
A man who inspired. It was a pleasure marching with you at USC Ray. May the angles take you home.
Jennifer Jablonski
June 13, 2013
I cherished my time rehearsing and performing with Ray in the USC Marching Band with Ray in the late '80s/early '90s. We were both in the saxophone section, then affectionately referred to as the Killer Bees. Ray was a favorite member of the section, and we all loved having the chance to march with him. He was a joy to know, and he always had that little sparkle in his eyes. I'm sad to learn he's gone. I will be thinking of Ray's family and feeling grateful that I had the chance to know him.
Jean Varnadore
June 13, 2013
I was blessed to work for Mr. Fifer for many years. He was such a good man who never hesitated to give me good advice when I asked for it. Mr. Fifer loved his family and friends and welcomed everyone with his big smile. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Tyanna Jones
June 13, 2013
Will will miss MR. Ray. he was a great man and i am glad that i got to know him.
marion smith
June 13, 2013
My prayers are with you. I am sure you will miss him.
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