Raymond Francis Kunz

Published 10:39 am Thursday, January 18, 2024

Raymond Francis Kunz

October 14, 1934 – January 9, 2024

Raymond Francis Kunz, born on October 14, 1934, to Ralph and Anna Kunz, in Los Angeles, CA, died peacefully in his sleep following a stroke on January 9, 2024, in Bend, OR.

Ray graduated from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles in 1952 and joined the United States Air Force. He served as a mechanic on the support plane for the x-15 experimental jet in the 1950’s.

In 1956 he married Elise Dwyer with whom he had 3 sons. Elise preceded him in death in 2016.

He worked for Water and Power in the City of Los Angeles for most of his working years. He got his private pilot’s license, rebuilt an antique airplane in his backyard and enjoyed many hours in the air. He also built a boat with his own hands in his backyard in the 1960’s and rebuilt numerous cars from that period up till recently.

He was a backcountry enthusiast most of his life and enjoyed hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, backcountry and downhill skiing, and white-water kayaking. He moved to Bend, Oregon, in 1978 where he worked as a copier technician until he retired. He had many hobbies and interests including Tai Chi, hydroponic gardening, and making his own bullets.

When he was a young man, he had a dream of someday walking down the street with 3 little sons. He fulfilled that dream and considered his sons to be his greatest legacy.

Ray is survived by his wife of 20 years, Marilyn; his 3 sons, Robert, and his wife Darlene, of Sequim, WA; Steven, and his wife Gloria, of Tucson, AZ; Richard, and his wife, Susan, of Simi Valley, CA; and 3 grandchildren, Yeshua, Marlisa and Chase.

Memorial gifts may be made to Partners in Care Hospice House, 2075 NE Wyatt Court Bend, OR