Raymond Merton Slabaugh III

1941 - 2024

Raymond Merton Slabaugh III

September 28, 1941 - September 8, 2024

SLABAUGH, Raymond Merton III (Ray), 82, a longtime resident of Richmond, VA, Naples, FL and Round Pond, ME, passed away on September 8, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on September 28, 1941 in Sayre, OK and grew up in Lexington, KY, the eldest son of Ethelene and Dr. Raymond M. Slabaugh, Jr. He attended Lafayette High School in Lexington where he was a standout basketball player winning the 1957 Kentucky State Championship. He continued his basketball career at Ohio Wesleyan University where he won first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors his junior and senior years and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Ray was inducted into the OWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977.

Ray's incredibly successful professional career in actuarial, benefits and human resource consulting began at Aetna Life Insurance in Newark, NJ. After moving to Richmond in 1967, Ray spent 21 years with Meidinger (which was sold to William M. Mercer, Inc.) managing their mid-Atlantic operations, establishing a southwest region in Houston and managing their Midwest practice in Detroit. Ray eventually returned to Richmond to join Slabaugh Group Associates alongside his brother Jim. Together, they grew the company into Slabaugh Morgan, White & Associates, until it was acquired by Palmer Cay Consulting. He joined HRH Willis in 2006 and remained there until his retirement. Ray was active in coalitions and legislative affairs relating to employee welfare benefits, including serving on the Board of the Richmond Area Business Group on Health and as state chairman of the Association of Private Pension and Welfare Plans.

In 2009 Ray was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma. True to form, Ray beat all the odds, and after going into remission returned to living a full and active life. He remained profoundly grateful to the VCU Massey Cancer Center, creating and endowing the Slabaugh Family Research Fund for Clinical Trials to support the advancement of promising cancer research in honor of Dr. Gordon Ginder. This first cancer journey also led to Ray and two friends founding "Living Proof", a group that seeks to inspire and motivate other cancer patients and survivors through the power of fellowship and personal stories. Ray's passion for sharing experiences and connecting with people made him an integral part of this initiative, leaving a lasting impression on all who were fortunate enough to witness his storytelling prowess.

Ray-Ray, as his close friends and grandchildren affectionately call him, had many passions including tennis, golf, sailing, and traveling the world. He was a dedicated philatelist since he was a Scout and pursued his collection of commemorative stamp plate blocks released from 1931 to the present. He was an avid art collector and some of his favorite pieces reflected his love of coastal Maine and Florida.

Round Pond was his favorite place on earth, and he loved sharing his home there with family and friends. His grandchildren will forever cherish the memories of eating his homemade "best ever" Maine blueberry pancakes.

Ray was a member of The Country Club of Virginia, The Commonwealth Club of Virginia, The Royal Poinciana Golf Club of Naples, FL, and the Cabeditis Boat Club in Round Pond, ME (where he previously served as Commodore). He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Richmond, the Men's Golf Fellowship in Naples, FL, the 55er's golf group, the Blazers, the Rowdy Riders, and the Polar Bears.

Ray's love and loyalty knew no bounds and his legacy of camaraderie, sporting excellence, and unwavering friendship will continue to inspire us all. May he rest in peace and rise in glory, leaving behind a lifetime of fond memories and a legacy that will endure.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Lynn Hill Slabaugh, his children Jon Slabaugh (Claire) of Bethesda, MD, Andrew Slabaugh (Jennifer) of Richmond, VA, Katie Hill Mosquera (Alexis) of Frederick, MD and Chris Hill (Hays) of Richmond, VA, along with his grandchildren Kate Slabaugh, Anne Slabaugh, Quinn Slabaugh, Cameron Wainwright (Andrew), Rett Houser-Hill (Katie Brooke) and Parker Hill. He is also survived by his brothers Tom Slabaugh, Sr (Sugar), Jim Slabaugh, Sr (Lucinda), and Steve Slabaugh (Marcia), as well as countless members of the extended Slabaugh, Louthan and Spotts families.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, Florida 34102, or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA, on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 3 p.m.