Raymond Richard McHenry

Born March 6, 1929, in Waterville, Maine, he was the second child born to Emily “Millie” Boudreau McHenry and Ignatius “Red” McHenry.

Raymond was exceptionally bright from an early age: skipping a year at school and teaching himself to play the saxophone. The "perfect angel," as his mother called him, was a “Grade A” student who never gave her a bit of trouble.

He enlisted in the Air Force at 17 and spent his military years stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he worked on helicopters and played in the band. After the Air Force, he was eager to study at the University of Maine, graduating in 1953 with a degree in engineering physics. During those years he led a jazz band and met the woman who would become his wife, Constance Dostie McHenry. They shared a love of music, especially jazz. Their marriage began in Detroit, Michigan and lasted 70 years as they raised and enjoyed their six children.

In 1955, he received a master’s degree in automotive engineering at the Chrysler Institute in Detroit Michigan. He went on to do some graduate work in engineering mechanics at Cornell University, and thus began his lifelong career, specializing in accident reconstruction, vehicle dynamics, and highway safety.

While working at Ford Motor Company he was awarded 3 patents related to hydro-pneumatic suspension. He eventually moved to Buffalo, New York to work for Cornell Aeronautical Laboratories (now known as Calspan). There he performed pioneering work improving highway and vehicle safety.

He developed the first occupant simulation model, the first crash simulation and reconstruction model, and the first 3D vehicle simulation model for computers. All programs and derivatives are still state-of-the-art science and in wide use throughout the world. In 1969 he received the Crompton-Lanchester Medal from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London for his pioneering work on vehicle dynamics.

The computer programs he invented and developed have been used extensively by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) and TRB (Transportation Research Board) for highway safety research and crash investigations and reconstructions.

A highlight of his 3D simulation work was a unique idea to validate the model by creating the Astro Spiral Jump. In the stunt, a vehicle launches off a ramp, performs an airborne corkscrew turn of 360 degrees and lands safely and undamaged. The stunt appeared in the James Bond 1974 movie, “The Man with the Golden Gun.”

In 1980 Ray and his son Brian formed a private consulting firm in Cary, investigating and reconstructing accidents related to highway safety and litigation. Over the years, his wife and many of his children helped with the demands of the company. Globally recognized scientific articles on safety continued to be published throughout his career of over 65 years. Raymond and Brian continued working on projects until the last weeks of his life.

Ray worked in his home, where he proudly lived independently. The dining room was his makeshift office. The table was covered with his paperwork, calculators, pencils, erasers, compasses, and yellow legal pads full of equations. He would graciously clear the table for family gatherings.

He was a soft-spoken man who was easily amused by the antics of large and boisterous family. He had a quick dry wit and bantered along until the very end.

He expressed his love for family with comments like “Remember what keeps us business,” when anyone set off on a long drive, and then checking on their safe arrivals.

He passed along to his family a great appreciation of jazz, Monty Python movies and other offbeat British humor, documentaries, and, for a select few, math and science. To the end, he was dedicated to making the world safer for everyone. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by six children Stanley (Rosemary) of Cary, Kathleen of Raleigh, Brian (Eliza) of Raleigh, Kevin (Michelle) of Apex, Bill (Donna) of Raleigh and Patricia of Decatur, GA., 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife, brother Kenneth McHenry and parents.

At his request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice in his memory.