OBITUARY

Col. Raymond H. Lessig

June 26, 1928 – December 23, 2013
Play Tribute Movie
×

LESSIG, Col. Raymond Harry, USAF (Ret), 85, of Dayton, passed away on Dec. 23 in Ft. Myers, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Josephine Lessig. Colonel Lessig is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rebecca Brooks Lessig; son, Merrill Lessig; daughter, Deborah (David) Butts and grandson, Matthew Lessig. Col. Lessig was born on June 26, 1928 in New Kensington, PA and attended Grove City College, Grove City, PA. He was appointed from PA and entered the Naval Academy in July, 1947. Graduating with the class of 1951, he chose to enter the Air Force. His first assignment was with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM. He served as the Nuclear Officer for the 2nd Tactical Support Squadron at Langley AFB, VA. He attended the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1955 and graduated with an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 1957. After training in Nuclear Radiation Shielding with the Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge, TN, he was assigned to work on the construction of the Air Force Nuclear Engineering Test Facility Reactor at Wright-Patterson AFB. From 1961 to 1964 he studied Operations Research and Statistics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Col. Lessig next reported to the Pentagon in 1964 in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for R&D. In 1967 he was reassigned in Washington to the Office of Aerospace Research, and in 1968 was assigned to that organization’s Aerospace Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson AFB as the Research Application’s Officer and later Director of the Applied Mathematics Laboratory. In 1971, after promotion to Colonel, he was assigned to the Aeronautics Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB as Director of Advanced Systems Concepts in the office of the Deputy for Development Planning, a post he held until his retirement in 1972. Col. Lessig worked as a private consultant until 1975. For the next ten years he was the Aerospace Education Instructor (AFJROTC) at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, retiring from that position in 1985. Since then he had divided his retirement living between Ft. Myers, FL and Dayton, spending six months at each location. Col. Lessig’s honors and decorations include the AF Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star. Friends may call at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME – BEAVERCREEK CHAPEL, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd, on Monday, Dec. 30 from 6 – 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Woodland Mausoleum Chapel, 118 Woodland Ave with entombment immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Col. Lessig’s memory be made to The Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate). Condolences to the family may be made online at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.

Send Flowers Show Your Support Receive Notifications

Services

  • Visitation Monday, December 30, 2013
  • Funeral Service Tuesday, December 31, 2013
receive notifications Show Your Support
REMEMBERING

Col. Raymond H. Lessig

have a memory or condolence to add?

ADD A MEMORY

receive updates when new memories are posted

RECEIVE UPDATES
Patrick Savelli

December 31, 2013

Colonel Lessig was an exceptional man and an exceptional teacher. His patient and advice helped me through some very rough patches. He will be greatly missed.

lori Fetters

December 31, 2013

My condolences to Col Lessig's family. He was in charge of the JROTC unit at my high school and made a lasting positive impression in and on my life. He provided a base from which I've built my life. Thank you Col Lessig.

Troy Hunt

December 31, 2013

With Great Sympathy I offer My Condolences to the Lessig family. Col. was my instructor until my graduation in 1983.

Paul Woods

December 31, 2013

My deepest sympathy to the family -- Col Lessig was my ROTC instructor from 1980 to 1983.

Jill Vargo Mills

December 31, 2013

My condolences to the Lessig family. Colonel Lessig was my JROTC instuctor at Wayne High School from 1976-1979. He helped shape the person I am today. May he rest in Peace.

Barry DeShetler

December 31, 2013

Ray was a wonderful man and a faithful member of Christ U.M.C. He will be missed here, but I know welcomed there. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family as surely there is going to be a "Ray-sized hole" in the lives. Rev. Barry DeShetler

Austin Stevens

December 31, 2013

My condolences, Col. Lessig was my instructor in AFJROTC. I was in the first graduating class of 1977. Col Lessig set the example and was more than a teacher. He was someone we could go to when we had problem and talk to. I am a better person for knowing him. May God go with his family and watch our them. Rest in peace sir...

Kevin Kent

December 31, 2013

So saddened to hear of his passing, Col Lessig was a true teacher and mentor. I too was an JROTC student of his from 1977-1980 at Wayne HS. Words cannot express, but May God bless you and keep you now with this loss.

Rob Mach

December 31, 2013

My deepest sympathy to the family -- Col Lessig was my ROTC instructor from 1980 to 1983; he will be sorely missed but fondly remembered.

Cindy Shortes

December 30, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of one of the best instructors I have ever known.. He was such an inspiration to me and all of the ROTC students! Keeping the family in my prayers.

IN THE CARE OF

Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel
Dayton, OH
937-427-1361