Condolence: It has been a year. Seems such a long time. Seems such a short time. Ray is missed. Sorry for your loss. Stay strong. Richard

Condolence: Anita and Carol, Donna, Lois, Laura and Janet, and all your immediate families, It was with great sadness that I read of Ray's passing. I am so sorry for the loss your family must feel. Ray was a strong yet very human person. He listened and used information to help make up his mind, and once he decided he went ahead. As Davy Crockett said ..."Be sure you're right, then go ahead." Ray took this farm boy with a brain, Richard, and taught him the principles of accounting, budgeting, planning and rhetoric. I worked for him from the early 1970's through his retirement. We always had a balanced budget. His family respected, adored, and loved him, and he returned the favor many times. Ray was a leader and a speaker of truth, even when others would prefer not to hear it. He saved Colgate from the brink on more than one occasion. Ray supported his children, attended dance recitals, endured athletic games, and pushed each child to be the best she could be, all with the enduring and authentic support of Anita. Ray would do anything to defend his girls, yet he expect much of each. And they turned out just fine. In his professional life, Ray succeeded by perseverance. He took on TIAA/CREF, Middle States, NACUBO, EACUBO, and the town of Hamilton when need be. He always pushed for improvement, insisted on planning, braved criticism, and sought alliances in moving a careful progressive agenda for his University, his town, and his family. The legacy he left is not just a thriving University, a beautiful downtown Hamilton, a supportive Alumni, and an engaged Board of trustees, but also a group of people he faced, touched, and taught to act on their principles. Ray meant a lot to me. He was a mentor, a challenger, a protector and a human being with a kind streak that respected hard work, loyalty and competence in his work team. It was a pleasure to have known him and to have substituted for him on those father daughter affairs where he was outnumbered by daughters. Ray delegated many professional duties to me that carried me through my 44+ year career in educational administration. Ray is missed. Yet he lives on through all of us whom he touched. May those who love him know how important he was to many of us. On July 3rd this year, I paid a visit to the Colgate cemetery. I stopped near the top and looked down hill and admired the monument there inscribed with the names of Ray and Anita with dates of death blank. I smiled and thought to myself, "What a planner." May he rest in peace.

Condolence: Dear Anita and family. Warren and I were saddened to hear of Ray's passing. I have such fond memories of Ray from his years as a member of the Board of Directors at OVNB and Appraiser. I truly enjoyed going out on appraisals with Ray. He was always such a gentleman. He was always so proud of his family. May all of your memories of this wonderful man help you through this difficult time. The world was a better place because Mr. Raymond Krefel was a part of it!

Condolence: Anita and family, while we moved from Hamilton 35 years ago it was our pleasure to have you as neighbors on East Pleasant Street for our seven years there. You are all in our prayers. Anita and Paul Darnell Baldwinsville, NY