Snap Shots of A Life Well Lived - The Early Years

Hi Gramps. As we look over these photographs and attempt to document your life, there's no question yours was a long and rich one. You lived it as the great competitor. And every one of us can appreciate your significant contribution to our lives. I'm sure you'd be pleased to know that your competitive spirit definitely lives on in your daughter and grandchildren. It's a great legacy. And I suspect you're working on your golf game somewhere.Bob Sakayama

I will miss sending Bubblin Bob the notes from the Clown unit. I know he liked to entertain all of his care givers. He will be missed. I have sent your message to the other members of the unit. Twinkle Toes David Dickson

Dear Great Uncle Bob, It was my sincere pleasure and honor to be able to meet you, thank you for opening your heart to long lost relatives... Our great adventure to visit you in NYC will never be forgotten. The apple tree and roses of sharon bush in my back yard will provide me a smile and a thought of you all the days of my life...tina

Gramps, I am amazed looking over all these photographs the long life you have lived! You have seen and lived through so many changes in the world and accomplished so much. and because of you I will never be afraid of clowns and I can impress my friends by making balloon animals. Rue

Coach Raymond at Slippery Rock was a father figure to all of us on the golf team. Always had the team ready for the next tournament, always had us focused. Loved the game of golf and loved Slippery Rock. His love of golf as well as his assistant coach (Dr Albert Schmittlein) permeated through many of his players, as many of us are golf professionals now. Mom Raymond was a special person to the Slippery Rock golf team, she went on our southern trips and we had so much fun with her. Coach Raymond loved her like I have never seen, and he sent me many pictures which included her, as he mentioned her in his notes even many years after she was gone. Thanks for being a great friend and a mentor to me.Jim Cichra

Bob was athletic director at Slippery Rock College when my husband, Cliff Wettig, was basketball coach. He and Peggy became good friends of ours. We played bridge, cribbage, and often just visited with them. I remember his sense of humor and his competitiveness as we women played against the men, and Peggy would just nod and smile sweetly. We were only at SRC three years but we remained friends for years. They even visited us in Birmingham after we moved. Bob was respected by all the players and coaching staff of all the sports. He was a very devoted husband. They both are missed. Florence WettigFlorence Wettig

Gramps! Some of my fondest memories are of visiting you and Mimi in New Hampshire as a kid - making snowbunnies in the winter, fishing at the dock in the summer, and when you tried to teach me and Rue to golf (but it was too hard for us, so we ended up trying to catch frogs in the ponds on the golf course). Thanks for being a one-of-a-kind grandfather - and for all the memories!Zebe

We enjoyed all of Bob's years at Province Lake in Maine, where he was the pro. He is responsible for my wife and me and two of our children learning and doing well at playing golf. He made us all good golfers and he really made us love the game. Warren Rohsenow

Bob was a staffman at Keewaydin Camp for many years. He was the head of the group of 14-15 year olds, leading them on canoe trips up to 21 days in the northwoods of Ontario. He was highly respected by these boys and his fellow staff as well. I remember Bob the most as playing "Keewaydin" the northwest wind, in a traditional native ceremony held each year. He was larger than life in my eyes. Peg was my father's (director of the camp) secretary for many summers as well. He and Peg would travel to the island each summer and bring "Petey-bird" their pet parakeet, who would live in the cabin with them! I remember them both so fondly. Lynne, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sandy ChiversSandy Chivers

Bob certainly left his mark on Harwich. Anyone who was a student at Harwich High from the late 30's to the mid 40's remembers him as an enthusiastic teacher and mentor. He coached basketball and baseball and taught gym class, boys and girls. We first met Peggy when we met them both by accident in the airport in New Zealand and have kept in touch with visits in Florida and Cape Cod ever since. Bob will live on in the memories of all who knew him and admired and respected him for all his many achievements in the world of sports. Harwich was his first teaching assignment and we are both proud to have been in his first classes. Sincerely, Fred and Carolyn CrowellFred and Carolyn Crowell, Harwich

I first knew Bob and Peggy in Slippery Rock for the five years we lived there. I was a twenty-comething mother of two girls, and Bob and Peggy were like parents to me. I loved being with them. Bob was such an honest, moral man who lived the Golden Rule as far as I could see. Peggy found joy in so many little things. I visited them in New Hampshire a couple of times. One visit included picking strawberries with Peggy and then making jam later. Bob gave me one golf lesson, but I was not a very good student -- awkward, with too many things to remember. I was amazed at his ability. I have been blessed to know both Bob and Peggy. Lynne, thank you for these pictures. You have been a wonderful daughter to Bob and Peggy. They were so proud of you and their granddaughters. I know they are together now and still loving their dear family.Sara Morgan

My fondness memories I have of grandpa are when he would take me down to the golf course, and he would let me hit a round of golf balls while he watched me with a kind of proud, amused smile on his face. Another memory I have of him is when I was little around maybe two or three. We were down visiting him in Wolfeboro. He had a parade that day, so he was dressed up in his clown outfit. I had never seen him in it before. I remember him coming into the den and i got scared and ran behind Pat my mom. They laughed and told me that it was grandpa! I will miss him greatly.Amy Persinger

My good friend, Bob and I, first met playing golf against each other sometime around 1968. We then became partners in NH professional tournaments. Bob worked with me for many years at our Kingswood Golf Club, gave lessons and worked in the Pro Shop with my wife, Ann and I. He was a big help to me with his knowledge and maturity. We played golf partners at the long North Conway Country Club and both missed birdie putts on the 18th green to come in second (with all the NH golf professionals)! We had a hot streak of a 3 (birdie), 2 (birdie), 3 (birdie) followed by a 1 (hole in one eagle) for 5 under in the 4 hole stretch! It was something we talked about for years to come. Another great memory that quickly comes to mind was long ago, on a hot, hot summer day, I was trying to lay my walk with bricks. Bob came, took off his sports jacket and said "I'll show you how to do that". He never stopped until the walk was completed and every time I leave and come home I think about my friend doing our whole walkway. Bob Raymond, my competitor, my partner and most of all, my friend.David J. Pollini, PGA

I could write volumes about what Bob Raymond meant to me..Charlie "Tremedous" Jones is quoted as saying that "you are the same today as in 5 yrs from now except for the people you meet and the books you read"..Bob Raymond was like meeting 10 people all with extrodinary qualities. I played on his golf team for 3 yrs..his 2nd thru 4th seasons at the Rock. SRU was dead last in all tournaments his first yr and he turned us into winners in his second year. Rather than talk about golf and all those successes, I will try to tell 2 quick stories about Bob, the person... I was a PE major who was afraid of water. As a freshmen, he took me to the pool for private lessons...trying to get me comfortable in the water...i hated it but eventually I was successful in passing the swimming requirements to graduate.. Coach eventually became AD and naturally he excelled in that as well. He was never above doing what he might delegate to others. As AD, I saw him role up his sleeves on his white dress shirt and go down to the field house indoor track and move chairs for the sporting event later that night....for anyone who paid half attention to what he did day in and day out they could only marvel. After graduation, my wife and I visited Coach and Mom(Peggy) in Wolfboro and hosted them at our home in Greensburg, Pa...I even met them in Mexico when coincidently we just happened to be there at the same time...Bob Raymond was truly one of a kind...he loved to love on others. He and Mom were serious followers of Jesus Christ, evidenced not only by how they lived but how they served the Church they attended. When "Mom" passed, he missed her sorely. But now, thru the promises of Christ, they are reunited. I too have that promise to spend eternity with Bob, Mom and all believers. See you soon,Coach Sincerely, respectfully and lovingly Bob Allshouse...SRU 1972Bob Allshouse

Dr. Raymond was the Athletic Director at SRU when I began my career in 1978. I worked with him until he retired, and we kept in touch until the past two years. He was a wonderful man, and a terrific person to work with. I remember when I first began working with him, he told me that I should not call the coaches by their first names, but "Coach" and their last name. He was an upstanding and highly ethical man. He loved his wife, Peggy with all of his heart, they were an inspiration. There is a special place in my heart for him. Pearl Shaffer

Nancy and I arrived at SRU at the same time as Bob and Peggy. We were pleased to count them among our frends for years to come. I was fresh out of graduate school and was immediately taken by the breadth of Bob's experience. He truly had "done it all"! But, apparently he didn't know that, because he did so much more during his tenure at The Rock. He was a mentor for many of us in the early years--always one who could be counted upon to help us solve our problems but never telling us what to do, I appreciated that and learned from him. As a teacher, coach and athletic director his first priority was always the student. He was an outstanding coach, a role model in all respects. He had a way of looking at situations honed by his experience. His students never took "tests", they had "opportunities"! Peggy was always of great support and, together, they gave of themselves to many young men and women beyond the call of duty. Bob and Peggy have been a part of the lives of many and they will live on in that way.Bob Aebersold

Bob. I can honestly say it was a pleasure working with you. You were a one of a kind resident, kind, caring, loving and warm. One of the best. You made my job seemed so much easier even though it was hard. I have grown to respect and love you so much, now you are gone. You will always be remembered. I miss you. R.I.P. Marlene Jackman

--Gramps you truly are a legend inside the family and out. I'm sure many people could easily consider you family. I'm honored to be your grandchild and you are an inspiration to me. I love all the memories I have of you from rubix cubes, animal balloons, and clown suits to golfing, watching Jeopardy, and fishing; even though I only got to watch you golf with my sister and cousins from the backseat of grandmas car I still liked walking around with you picking up golfballs to keep. ~ I Love and miss you much.Sara Persinger