Raymond P. Urtz, age 73, retired Director, Information Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, NY, passed away peacefully October 8, 2012.

He was born July 11, 1939, in Utica, a son of the late, Raymond and Margaret Myrtle Kelly Urtz. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in NYC, received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Manhattan College in 1961, Master’s degree in Systems Management from University of Southern California in 1974, and graduated in 1986 from the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA. Ray was united in marriage to the former Maureen Murphy on August 26, 1961, in St. Mary’s Church, Flushing, NY; she died August 19, 2011. He was a member of St. Paul’s Church.

Ray had a 44 year career at Griffiss Air Force Base, starting as a physicist in 1961 at RADC and retiring as Director of Rome Lab, in 2005. He received many awards and honors, including the Harold Brown Award for excellence in research and development in 1982, Harry Davis Award for research and development accomplishments in 1983, and the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in 1993 and 2000. He served as the Board Chair for Griffiss Local Development Corporation, the Griffiss Institute and the Central New York Defense Alliance. In 2005, Ray received a Leading EDGE Award and an Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award from the Air Force for 44 years of dedicated service.

Ray’s personal life revolved around his family. He had a tremendous love for his wife, Maureen, children and grandchildren. He was an avid reader and would often be seen “walking at a fast pace” along the streets and sidewalks of Rome.

Ray is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Bernadette Jean Urtz and Marcus Rebick of Oxford, England, and Eileen Mary Urtz and Christopher Schoberl of New York City; two sisters and a brother in law, Margaret Mutz of Franklin, TN, and Mary and James Curran of Bayside, NY; grandchildren, Adam Rebick, and Molly, Zachary and Ethan Schoberl.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:45 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and a Mass of Christian Burial with Fr. Robert Kelly, officiating, at 10:30 AM at St. Paul’s Church. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Sunday 2 to 5 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jervis Public Library.

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