Raymond Laurence Opper

Raymond Laurence Opper passed away February 10th 2023. He was born May 28th 1927, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Raymond Theodore Opper and Lena (Schroeder) Opper and had an older sister, Lois. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 67 years Myrna, his daughters Nancy Opper and Carol (Opper) Knight, and his son-in-law Keith Knight. Raymond was enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1945 and honorably discharged in 1947. Following his military service, he studied and received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nebraska.

Raymond had a long successful career with Lockheed Martin, formerly Martin Marietta, Denver. During his career at Martin, his intellect and abilities positioned him at the forefront of several important projects, including designing control systems for defense projects during the late 1950s early 1960s. In the 1970s he worked on the Viking Mars Lander, designing the arm and scoop to test Martian soil for biosignatures of microbial life. During the 1980s he was part of a team of experts to address heat shield tile issues on the Space Shuttle. Raymond was devoted to work, family, his Christian faith, and his heritage. Following his retirement from Martin, he enjoyed a special hobby of tracing his family’s genealogy. Raymond’s place of rest is the Lincoln Memorial Park in view of the Last Supper mural.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Opper family.