Raymond J. Sumser

SUMSER RAYMOND J. SUMSER Commander, USN (Ret.) Passed away October 21, 2010 surrounded by his loving family, at Inova Fairfax Hospital after a long, brave battle with on-going health challenges. He was born in Canton, Ohio on July 3, 1930. He graduated from North Canton High School in 1948. As a senior he was President of his class, editor of the paper, member of the National Honor Society, co-captain of the football team, lead of the school musical and more. This level of involvement and commitment set the tone for his life. He was awarded many scholarships and chose to attend the University of Utah with the NROTC and graduated with a B.A. in English in 1952. He completed flight training at Pensacola, Florida and Hutchinson, Kansas and received his Navy Pilots wings in August of 1954. He joined Patrol Squadron 6 and flew in Hawaii, Guam, Japan and Alaska. He attended Naval Leadership School in Newport, Rhode Island and taught leadership at the University of Washington for two years. In 1960, he became a management intern with the federal government. He had a distinguished career with the federal government where he served as the Personnel Director for the Department of Labor, Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Headquarters. He then served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Personnel Administration, HEW/Health and Human Services; Deputy Assistant Secretary for Equal Employment Opportunity, U.S Department of the Army; and the worldwide Director of Civilian Personnel, U.S. Department of the Army. The President of the United States recognized him as a Meritorious Executive in 1980 and 1984 and as a Distinguished Executive in 1991. He was recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Institute for Land Warfare, Association of the U.S. Army; a member of the Society for Human Resource Management; and a charter member of the Federal Section of the International Personnel Management Association. Other honors included a year of study at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University. In retirement, he served as Senior Research Associate with the National Academy for Public Administration. His interests included hiking, walking, reading, singing, whistling, fishing, and George Mason Basketball. Mr. Sumser is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Sumser; his children, John, Brion, Chas (Sally) and Anne Marie Sumser and other family members Erin Cloyd Sumser and Colleen Gildea Sumser. Also, missing him deeply are his five grandchildren, Bridget, Raymond, Sam, Maddie and Kate Sumser. Extended family includes two brothers and four sisters, many nieces and nephews, and a loving community of dear friends. Friends may call at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia on Wednesday, October 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral with Full Military Honors at Arlington Cemetery is planned for a later date. The family asks that contributions be made in his name to the Inova Health System Foundation at PO Box 96747, Washington DC 20090-6747 or The Green Machine Boosters, George Mason Pep Band 4400 University Drive MS4C1, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. www.fmfh.comwww.fmfh.com