[Tall-Corn] Text of Bob's Obituary

[cindyray at gmail.com]

I will send the link for the service later.

ert Joseph Ray (Bob) passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Des
Moines, Iowa after a long illness. He was born March 9, 1948, to Esther and
Martin Ray, and grew up in Cedar Rapids.

When he was diagnosed with blindness, the doctor prescribed only one thing:
Take him home and raise him as a normal child. Esther followed doctor's
orders, giving him the opportunity for many and varied experiences. This
formed him into a curious, adventurous person and, as a result, he was ready
to take on the world and became active in the National Federation of the
Blind, serving in many state and local leadership roles. Even when he wasn't
serving in these roles, he had plenty to offer that would help others
succeed.

As a parent and a spouse, he took the concept of unconditional love very
seriously, and wholeheartedly threw his support behind his wife and children
in all their endeavors. A gentle giant, he was unfailingly generous with his
time and resources.

He made any stranger feel like part of the group in a social situation, and
was always welcoming and inclusive. He loved to make people laugh, and could
lighten even the darkest situations.

As a testament to his love for helping others and sharing his functional
skills, Bob remained a dedicated Boy Scout leader long after he had a child
in the group. He also was a beloved and engaged amateur radio operator.

He loved listening to the Chicago Cubs on the radio, as well as to
audiobooks. He also was famous for creating hilarious backstories about the
family dogs.

Bob married his first wife, Jan, in 1975, and they later divorced.

He married Cindy in August 1998, though they first met in high school. In
the 1960s. Bob attended elementary and high school at the Iowa Braille and
Sight Saving School. He went on to attend the University of Iowa for a
semester; then he worked at Collins Radio for a time. Bob attended computer
training in Cincinnati, Ohio, and went on to work as a computer programmer
at the state. He retired from the state in the early 1990s and then ran
several vending operations in southern and central Iowa from 1994 to 2009 in
the business enterprise program through the Iowa Department for the Blind.
He took great pride in keeping the machines stocked, clean, and in good
working order.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard, and their parents, Esther
and Martin.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his so,n Marc (Misty); his daughter,
Antoinette Smith (Jeremy); several grandchildren; his sister, Georgina Sue
Ray; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held for Bob on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at
11:00 a.m., at the Windsor Presbyterian Church, 6301 University Ave, Windsor
Heights, IA 50324, with lunch to follow.

The service will also be streamed on Zoom, through the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you direct contributions to the
National Federation of the Blind. Visit nfb.org/donate or call 410-659-9314,
extension 2430. The National Federation of the Blind is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit that raises expectations for all blind people.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Robert Ray, please
visit our Tribute Store
<https://iles-westover-chapel.tributestore.com/?OID=46948969> .

Cindy

 

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