Posted on 02/05/2019
Ray Gilbert Kummerow, 89, of Bainbridge Island passed away Friday, January 18th, 2019 at Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton, Washington. Born in Chicago, Illinois he was the son of the late Harold and Ruth Kummerow. As a teenager, Ray worked for the Idaho Forestry Department, where he became interested in the US Naval Academy ( USNA) from working alongside WW2 vets. Ray then made it a "priority" to achieve the required academic and physical standards to attend the USNA. Ray studied Mathematics, engineering, and Russian linguistics at the USNA and chose a commission into the US Marine Corps upon graduation in 1952. Ray's class at Basic Officer School at Quantico, VA was accelerated, then he immediately shipped out to Korea to join the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He became the Platoon Commander of a Weapons Company there. Ray served in Korea for one year, during which time he was in combat on the main line of resistance, north of the Imjin River. He stated, "Meeting and serving with troops from all over the world (including Britain, Greece, and Turkey) was the adventure." His service following Korea included teaching nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare to incoming officers at Quantico. Ray developed a physical training program that included hand-to-hand combat, bayonet fighting, obstacle courses, and testing. While on recruiting duty he enlisted more than 3,000 personnel. He then taught Math at the USNA. Ray commanded a rifle company onboard a troop ship off Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. During the Vietnam War, Lieutenant Colonel Ray Kummerow assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in August 1969. Ray was wounded during the Summer Offensive in the Heip Duc Valley region of the Que Son Mountains. After Vietnam, Ray ended his career as the head of the War Gaming Division for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) at Quantico. Ray cites General Lewis Walt, former assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, as his inspiration. "'I did my best' is what he said when describing his service. It was always about the marvelous people I served with or commanded. The Marine Corps, its heritage and its achievements, are nothing but the people." Ray married his first wife, Patricia Bergin and had three children: Sean, Sheila, and Tim. Ray met his second wife, Phyllis, while onboard a US Naval ship crossing the Pacific Ocean. Phyllis was stationed at the Bremerton Naval Hospital while Ray served in Norfolk, VA during their courtship, and they were married in Rockville, Maryland. They had three sons: Phillip, Eric, and Grant. Ray and Phyllis were married for 50 years at the time of her passing in 2018. Ray retired from the Marine Corps in 1975 as a Colonel. In 1979 the family moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington. Ray taught Mathematics at several universities in the Seattle area, and then worked for the Boeing Company for 20 years. Ray held multiple project positions in project/program management and systems engineering roles in Aerospace, Commercial Airplanes, and Boeing Computer Services. His discipline and organizational skills were integral in managing and executing projects. Always the teacher, Ray shared his passion for systems engineering, project management, and integration with many at Boeing. Ray's passion for teaching and mentoring extended long after retirement. Always with great energy, focus, and enthusiasm he guided and inspired others as they pursued leadership careers as entrepreneurs, academic thought leaders, and industry specialists. Semper Fi Ray is survived his brother Hal (and wife Carol) Kummerow, five sons, Sean, Tim (and wife Ping) Bergin, Phillip (and wife Deborah), Eric, Grant (and wife Diane). His daughter Sheila (and husband Jack) Garbade, along with his beloved grandchildren; Blair (and husband Matt) Martlaro, Lindsay, Aidan, James, and Claire. Services and interment will be private at the request of the family. Donations in his memory may be made to: Veterans of Foreign Wars Seattle Children's Hospital Bargain Boutique, Bainbridge Island Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home Bainbridge Island, WA. Donations in his memory may be made to: Veterans of Foreign Wars Seattle Children's Hospital Bargain Boutique, Bainbridge Island Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home Bainbridge Island, WA.
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