Ray Humphrey

KERRVILLE Ray Eicken Humphrey, 81, past from this life in Kerrville, TX on October 24, 2012. Born in La Harpe, IL on January 27, 1931, he was the son of Harvey A and Dora Eicken Humphrey.

Ray graduated from Carthage, IL, High School, class of 1948. A 1951 graduate of Carthage College, Carthage, IL, he earned a BS degree in chemistry. He furthered his education with an MS degree from Western Illinois State College, Macomb, IL, and a PhD in analytical chemistry at the State University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

SFC Humphrey was a veteran and as a member of the 44th Infantry Division, Illinois National Guard, serving 14 months in Korea during the Korean Conflict.

Ray worked as a research scientist in the Ferndale, MI laboratory at Ethyl Corp. from 1958 until 1961. In 1961, he began a thirty year teaching career at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. At SHSU, he taught instrumental analytical chemistry, supervised masters thesis and published numerous chemistry papers and a teaching manual. For many years he was the recipient of a grant from the Robert A. Welch Foundation. This grant gave financial support to many of his graduate students. While at SHSU he was a sponsor of the Chemistry Club, a member of the Society of Sigma Xi and an honorary member of Golden Key National Honor Society. When he retired from SHSU several of his former graduate students established a scholarship in his name. Many of his students were employed by the Dow Chemical Corp.

Ray was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, TX and while living in Huntsville, TX, served on the Board of Deacons at the Huntsville Presbyterian Church.

Preceding him in his passing were his parents, and a sister, Mary Humphrey.


He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Evelyn E. Humphrey of Kerrville, TX three children, David Humphrey of Colorado Springs, CO, Tom Humphrey and wife Mary of Round Rock, TX, and Lynn Ramert and husband Robert of Bedford, TX. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Kristen and Kerry Humphrey, Adam Humphrey and Bryan and Sarah Ramert one brother, Don Humphrey and his wife Kay, along with his church family and many loving friends and neighbors.

Always found with a book to read, he also enjoyed traveling both abroad as well as camping in the US. He was of a gentle nature and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In Rays honor, memorial remembrances may be forwarded to the charity of ones choice.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 PM, Sunday, November 25, 2012 in the Main Chapel of Kerrville Funeral Home, 1221 Junction Highway, Kerrville, TX. Inurnment will be private at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. 830 8955111

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