Raymond K. Sweet

(1924 - 2011)

Raymond Keith Sweet, 86, passed away on April 21, 2011, with his wife Dottie by his side. A second generation Humboldter, Ray was born in Eureka to H. Florence and Charles P. Sweet in 1924. He attended first grade in a one-room school-house, and spent the rest of his grade school years mostly in Eureka, developing a life-long love of the outdoors. His father often took his family fly-fishing, crabbing, and duck-hunting. Ray graduated from Eureka High School in 1942, attended Humboldt State College for one year, graduated from University of Oklahoma with a degree in engineering, and earned a Masters Degree in engineering from Stanford. This educational path was punctuated by Ray's three years of service in the US Navy during World War II and his 10 years in the Active Naval Reserves, as well as two years during the Korean Conflict, where he served as a Lieutenant. Ray's first experience with the State Division of Highways (now known as Caltrans) was as an Under Engineering Aid on a survey party during Easter vacation in 1943. He held other positions with them during the ensuing years, and then was reinstated in 1954 as Assistant Highway Engineer. Ray received many promotions which took him to San Luis Obispo and Sacramento. In 1970 he returned to his roots in Humboldt County as a Deputy District Director. Except for the educational and military leaves of absence, he was continuously employed by the State since 1946, eventually retiring from Caltrans in 1988. During these years, Ray continued to fish, hunt, and hike and became an accomplished photographer. An active member of the Sierra Club, he frequently hiked and lead backpacking trips in Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, and the Trinity Alps. He trekked in Nepal numerous times, enjoying not only the pristine scenery, but the kind people he met there. He was very active in the Eureka Kiwanis Club for many years, and was a Past President. He met his wife (and neighbor) Dottie at a block party in Eureka and married her in 1978. Together they continued to travel, returning to Nepal, and also enjoyed trips to India, Japan, China, Tibet, Central America and South America. They spent many happy weeks each year at a summer home in Hyampom, where Ray was able to focus on fly-fishing, gardening, and many building projects, often joined by the children and grandchildren. The family was important to Ray, and he instilled many great ideals in them during the 33 years they had together. Ray is survived by his wife, Dorothy Stocum Sweet; children Jon (and Patty) Stocum of Bayside, Robin (and Eileen) Stocum of Helena, CA, and Kristen (and Vernon) Callahan of Blue Lake; grandchildren Byron and Kenny Stocum of Bayside; his sister Shirley (and Fran) Walker of Ferndale; nieces and nephews Terri Shunk, Patty Buccola, Robert Walker, Charles Sweet III, and Stephen Sweet; and his "baby" - a 1957 Thunderbird. He is preceded in death by brother Charles Sweet II, nephews Scott Sweet and Andrew Sweet, great friend Bill Frye, and mentor George Jorstad. Special appreciation goes to Ray's "Visiting Angels" who helped the family provide him the best last months possible. Family and friends will be sharing a celebration of his life on May 6. Please call his family at 530-623-2381 or Pierce Mortuary at 442-3751 for more information. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1060 La Avenida, Mt View, CA, 94043. Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on April 26, 2011