Irving Fay Ravin

Beloved Son, Brother, Dad, Grandpa, and Friend

“There are three things that are extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.”1 Irving Ravin certainly had a strong sense of self and lived life unapologetically. Irving “Irv” was known for his humor, creativity, charm, and enthusiasm for life. He was fun, intelligent, hardworking, stubborn as hell, and an incredibly talented craftsman. There was also a softer side to Irv, and if you were one of the lucky few, you got to experience his unconditional love.

Born in Encino, California on January 9, 1956 to Christine and Sherman Ravin, Irv grew up in Reseda, California with his brother, Virgil, and his sisters, Sheryl and Regina. Irv’s strong work ethic began at a young age. At 10 years old, his first job was delivering newspapers with his brother throughout their community. As Irv grew older, his father took him to Santa Anita Park where he first experienced the thrill of horseracing which initiated a life-long hobby. The savviness he gained from learning to bet and strategize, led him to become clever and cunning, which served him well throughout his entire life.

Irv attended Garden Grove Elementary, Northridge Junior High School, and graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1973 with a natural gift in mathematics and sports. As a successful athlete with a desire to contribute to society, Irv enlisted in the army where he played football, and proudly served on the 509th Airborne Battalion Combat Team for five years. Throughout his service he toured Europe and made lasting memories.

After being honorably discharged from the military in 1980, Irv made his way back to Reseda. Once settled, he started his career at Main Tool & Die as a tool and die maker apprentice. During this time, Irv developed the skill set needed to become one-of-a-kind in his industry.

Irv moved with his former wife and two daughters to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1991 and began working at Schlage Lock to continue his pursuit as a tool and die maker. In 1995, Irv took his talents to a new company, IP Automation, where he worked hard every day for the past 29 years up until his untimely passing.

Over the years, Irv used his genius to create some of the most specialized parts needed for machinery to operate. He was a master at his craft who could look at a block of metal, see its potential, and transform it into a work of art. He loved working and was proud of his work - his blueprints were like treasure maps he used to go on adventures - measuring, milling, drilling, shaping, grinding, filing, smoothing, polishing until he discovered a treasure, a final part which became an important piece to a puzzle. It was amazing how hands so big could create something so small, intricate, and precise.

Irv worked hard, so he could play hard. He enjoyed gambling, dancing, learning from various nature series and talk radio, playing pool and golf, and spending time with close friends and family. Irv loved to “run amok” especially with his best friend, Dan, visiting Cripple Creek and betting horses. There was not a video poker machine without his fingerprints on it or a horse he couldn’t recite specific stats for off the top of his head. He was quick witted and took pleasure in making others laugh. If you didn’t laugh, it was probably because “you had to be there,” Irv would say. Irv was passionate about having a good time and constantly reminded others to live life to the fullest.

Although his hobbies were important to him and he created countless masterpieces in his profession, his most precious creations were his two daughters, Rachel (spouse, Zane) and Erin (spouse, Jess). They are beautiful, smart, hilarious…can you tell who is writing this? ;-) One of the main traits Irv passed down to his children was his sense of humor. He also shared his knowledge and inventiveness with his girls by teaching them through stories and impromptu games, igniting their imaginations. Everything became an opportunity for play: skiing down hills with paper cups on your feet, searching for hidden pictures in the texture of walls, imagining the surrounding landscape was another world in a game he affectionately referred to as “Adventure Land.” Irv shared his creativity and inspired his girls to be their own unique versions of themselves. He wholeheartedly supported their endeavors and encouraged them to explore the world as he did.

While it would seem that nothing could surpass his talents at work, knack for a good time, and love for his daughters, he poured even more of himself into being a dedicated grandfather to his two grandchildren, Hollyn and Greyson. Irv was a free-spirit who often lived life spontaneously, but when it came to his grandchildren he was a constant in their lives, always showing up to support them, play with them, and love them. Grandpa Irv was present and loyal, and his playful spirit will live on in his children and grandchildren.

Just as a machine wouldn’t function without one of Irv’s creations, we will forever be changed by him as we are now missing an integral piece of our hearts. “The good Lord made us all out of iron. Then he turns up the heat to forge some of us into steel.”2 We love our man of steel and will deeply miss his fiery personality.

Now, the hardest thing is to say goodbye, so we will just say, “Until we meet again…rest easy in ‘Adventure Land’…we love you."

A private celebration of life will be held to honor Irv at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Irv’s honor to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation: https://trfinc.org/

Quotation credits:1Benjamin Franklin, 2Marie Osmand