Anonymous
Dear Mary, Ray Jr., Rich, Ron and Randy
I was saddened to learn the news of Rays passing. None of us are prepared to accept the sudden death of close friends and loved ones, but, we can achieve some comfort in our loss, by recalling memories of better days.
Ray and I worked closely together for number of years and during that period I was fortunate to be partnered with a loyal, efficient and dedicated coworker. I learned a lot from your husband and father, about the technical aspects of our military speciality.
Master Sergeant Ray Bower was a soldier who was respected by his subordinates and superiors as well. He demonstrated the ultimate in leadership qualities and professional skill.
I thoroughly enjoyed our years together and my association with Ray. We spent many hours together in travels over the State, coordinating operations and training activities within the Battalion. One thing that used to amuse me about Ray, had to do with our travel on the road in the Army sedan. Most of our trips were of several days duration and involved long mileage excursions into the Michigan U.P. and other locations.
Ray always did the majority of the driving until he became sleepy. He would never ask me to take over at the wheel, but instead would drop the right front wheel of the car off the road onto the shoulder. After bumping along for several hundred feet on the shoulder, I would wake up and say: “Ray are you sleepy?” and he would smile and say: “No, but I guess I could take a little nap.” Soon I’d be driving down the road with Ray snoring away in the passenger seat, beside me. But then I don’t need to tell you Mary that he snored, right?
I am going to miss my old friend, as I am sure you and a host of others will as well. Life is so short. I think the moral of the story is: If you have things to do or something you want to accomplish in this life, we better gitter dun. Who knows, tomorrow may be our last.
Best of luck to you all in the future. May God bless.
ROBERT R. HETZMAN
LTC EN AUS
Retired##imported-begin##Robert R. Hetzman##imported-end##