Obituary of Raymond W. Beemer

Raymond W. Beemer, age 76 of Iowa City died Thursday, December 23, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A time for family and friends to gather to celebrate Ray’s life will take place from 4 to 7 pm Sunday, May 22, 2022, at the Finkbine Nagle Family Clubhouse @ 1380 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City. Memorial donations can be made in Ray’s memory to two causes near and dear to him and his family, Terry Trueblood Park or the Iowa City Dog Parks, both through the Iowa City Recreation Foundation. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please go to Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com to Ray’s page. Raymond William Beemer was born February 8, 1945, in New York City, NY, the son of Donald W. and Irene (Larrinaga) Beemer. His family moved to Iowa City in 1955 where he attended schools, graduating from City High School in 1963, the University of Iowa in 1968 receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1971 he received his Master’s degree in Leisure Studies & Recreation. This same year he was united in marriage to Patricia Jane Seip in Keosauqua, Iowa. Ray was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation from the University after finishing the Army ROTC program. Upon completion of 2 years active duty, he began a career in the Army Reserve. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel at the conclusion of his Reserve duty. In his civilian life, he began a career in recreational services starting as the director of Parks and Recreation Services for the City of Coralville from 1971 to 1977; then to Cedar Falls with the University of Northern Iowa as the Intramural Coordinator until 1982. He joined the Department of Recreational Service at the University of Iowa in 1983 where he retired as Associate Director in 2013. Ray enjoyed life to its fullest. He loved sitting on the porch with his rum and diet coke, family vacations, playing cards with his buddies, eating at Texas Roadhouse, hanging with all the dogs of his life, most recently, Annie, and of course, days on the golf course. The rumor was, if Ray wasn’t at home, check Finkbine Golf Course for him! In days past, he played on rec league softball and basketball teams. He was a member of various professional associations while still working. But Ray would be the first to downplay everything, making it not about him, but rather, he would smile in delight when around his friends and family crew, including four crazy grandboys keeping him busy watching all of their sporting events! His family includes his wife, Pat; son and his wife, Chris and Jill Beemer; daughter and her husband, Betsi and Matt Sherman; grandsons, Reece, Evan, Cade, and Drew; and two brothers, Rick and Tom Beemer. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Steve.