Events
Visitation
Cottonwood 4th Ward, 5565 South Neighbor Lane [1610 East], Holladay, UTSaturday Sep 7, 2024 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Memorial Service
Cottonwood 4th Ward, 5565 South Neighbor Lane [1610 East], Holladay, UTSaturday Sep 7, 2024 12:00 PM
Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, Raymond Arthur Haeckel, died on August 16, 2024. He was 88 years old.
Born on February 12, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of Rudolph Kurt Haeckel and Agnes Ida Heimann. After moving to Salt Lake City as a young boy, he graduated from West High School in 1954. He attended the University of Utah, where he was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. While attending University, he met Karyn Ann Jensen and the two married in 1961.
Ray had a successful career in journalism and public relations. Following a position as a reporter for the KSL News Department, he joined the University of Utah staff where he served for over 35 years. Among his varied assignments at the U., he was Manager of the University News, Executive Director of Public Relations, and later Executive Director of Government, Community and Public Relations. In this last position, he worked as the University lobbyist with the Utah State Legislature. He loved his career at the University of Utah and found it invigorating being around students and faculty. During his professional years Ray also served on various boards and councils including President of Utah Business Communicators, the National Board of Directors and Western Regional Chair for The Council for the Advancement
and Support of Education, and was a board member for the Utah Opera Association and United Way of Utah.
Ray’s life was one of service to his church, his family and friends. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served in numerous bishoprics, high councils and other church callings. He was a writer of “The Spoken Word” for over 25 years, and in his later years loved writing thoughts for the weekly program in his local ward. A drummer and avid tennis player, Ray lived his life with optimism and cheerfulness. He could always find a bright side to any problem or situation, and approached difficult moments with wit and humor.
One of two children, Ray is survived by his sister, Dana Barth. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karyn, and survived by his children, Heidi (Peter) Sonntag, and Lisa Chatelain. He was a devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at noon on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Cottonwood 4th Ward, 5565 South Neighbor Lane [1610 East], Holladay, UT. There will be a visitation from 11:00 to 11:50 am, prior to the services.
Guestbook/Condolences
Thinking tonight about the many many years of sitting in Section K, Row 15, behind sweet Ray & Karyn at the UofU Men's Basketball games. Ken and I looked forward to coaching the team from the stands while hearing and sharing stories and jokes and family updates. How I miss the laughter but still cherish our memories and friendship. I'm sure the two of them are catching up with Ken now! All my best to your family. ❤️
I can still remember the Sunday night that Ray came into my house when I was called to be his Counselor in the University 18th ward bishopric. He said he only had 6 mos left so it wouldn’t be for long. I said, “sure, I can do anything for 6 mos”. That 6 months were the most beautiful of times as I sat by him and watched him work his organizational miracles as well as mentoring me for what he didn’t tell me I was going to do: that of replacing him when that six months was over. I will always cherish that time as well as the friendship that lasted for the rest of our lives. Not only do I respect him, I love him with all my heart. Then there was Karyn who was a joy to know (always called me Docca Fox) and both of you beautiful daughters. God bless you all and give you peace at this time and always.
Jesse Fox
Ray and I became good friends these last few years. I will miss his Sunday greetings as I walked into our Chapel. He always had something encouraging or positive to say to me, as I’m sure he did to most everyone who entered that door. I will treasure the words that he wrote each week on the back of our program. We have saved many of them because they have such beautiful and profound words of love, truth, wisdom, patriotism and testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Ray will be deeply missed in the Cottonwood 4th Ward, but I know how Happy he must be to be reunited with his beautiful wife, Karyn. Rest in peace, brother Ray.
Dear Heidi and Lisa,
I loved your mom and dad and am so sorry I missed attending the funeral services for both of them. I was out of the country Aug 30-Sept 18 and learned when I returned that Ray had passed away earlier in the month. I am sorry to have not been there. When I was asked to write and deliver "The Spoken Word" in 1972 one of the first things I did was ask your dad to be my editor. That he did until 1976 when I needed help and Bonneville and the Church decided to hire writers for "The Spoken Word". He was the first we hired which he faithfully and creatively did for 25 years. I loved working with Ray. And also your Mom. At about the same time I started doing The Spoken Word I was also named KSL News Director and inherited Kayrn as my secretary. She had been Ted Capener's secretary and stayed on to help in my transition before she left for her out standing career with LDS Hospital public affairs. They both helped and blessed my life in many ways, and even though I hadn't seen either of them for a long time, I want you to know I, like you, love them and miss them.
Spence
I was Ray's Hairstylist for about 4 years and he was always nice to talk with. He had a good sense of humor and always gave me the best encouragement about life.
He always gave me the best talks to read. I enjoyed feeling the spirit and upliftment from them. He always helped you feel more motivated and better about life even if you were facing a hard trial.
I'll miss his nice talks and good sense of humor everytime he came in to get a haircut from me. Rest In Peace.
I wish his family comfort and peace at this time.