Raymond E Kusler

Ray Kusler died peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. Ray was born in Bismarck, North Dakota on February 19, 1923. His mother, Antonio Parzych passed away in early 1925. Since that time he was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by his maternal grandparents, Steve and Mary Parzych who had nine children, his aunts and uncles Mary, Helen, Barbara, Florence, Eileen, June, Blanche, Joe and Donald. After graduation from High school in 1942 Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving aboard ships in the Pacific on a minesweeper and a destroyer. He met his wife Betty in Seattle, Washington in 1943. They were married in May 1944. They have five children, nine grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Ray graduated from the University of Washington in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration and practiced as a CPA for some time. He spent the balance of his working years with Westours, Princess Cruises, Holland-America, and Exploration Cruise Lines. Ray and Betty lived in the Bellevue, Wa. area since his discharge from the Navy and recently moved to Lacey, WA. Ray was considered a leader in the tourism industry. During his 40 years of stewardship his talent, expertise, congenial personality and warmth were significant in developing Alaska tourism and small ship exploration throughout the world. Throughout his 62 years of marriage to Betty they enjoyed many travels throughout the world, friendships and most important his loving and dedicated family, a very happy life. He is survived by his wife Betty and five children. Claudia Dove and husband Jim of Tacoma, Wa, Nancy Fraser and husband Paul of Goleta, CA, Beverly Sweeny and husband David of MountainView, CA., David Kusler of Renton, WA, Janis Corkrey and husband Patrick of Olympia, WA. Also survived by 9 grandchildren, Andrea, Tracy, Alayna, Sara, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Kristen, Katie and Ryan and 5 great grandchildren Amber, Taelor, Kendall, Sierra, Makenna and one on the way Jackson Ray. Also surviving Ray is his sister June Stanley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Family suggests memorials be made to: National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., 1501 NW 9th Ave. , Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494.