Raymond Joseph BLACK

28 DEC 1934 - 16 OCT 2013

• BIRTH: 28 DEC 1934, McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
• DEATH: 16 OCT 2013, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N32976] Raymond Joseph Black

BIRTH 28 Dec 1934
McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

DEATH 16 Oct 2013 (aged 78)
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana

BURIAL
Highland Cemetery
South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana
PLOT Northern
MEMORIAL ID 123012995

Raymond Joseph Black
Dec. 28, 1934 - Oct. 16, 2013

SOUTH BEND - Raymond Joseph Black, 78, of South Bend, passed away at Memorial Hospital on October 16, 2013, after a full and wonderful life. Born on December 28th, 1934, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Connellsville, PA, and graduated Connellsville High School in 1952. After high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame and made South Bend his home. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. On March 2nd, 1957, he married the former Elizabeth Josephine (Betty Jo) Scott of South Bend. After her passing, he married the former Anne Marcella MacDonald of Dearborn, MI, on March 31st, 1967. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Augustin and Florence Pauline; his first wife, Betty Jo; his sister, Jean Claire Konchal; his son-in-law, Jay Smith; and his daughter, Sharon Marie. Hard-working and mathematically gifted, he joined the Bendix Aircraft Brake and Strut Division in 1955, where for forty years he was an expert in aircraft and spacecraft landing systems. During this time, he earned his Professional Engineer license. He was the author of numerous technical studies and the recipient of ten patents for his inventions. He was instrumental in the design of the landing gear for the lunar module with his proof of quadrupedal landing gear systems for spacecraft. He also designed landing gear for the space shuttle and other commercial jets. While he had many professional accomplishments, his proudest accomplishment was his family. He was the beloved father of eight daughters: Mary Rose (Craig) Nowicki, Elizabeth Jean (Thomas) Morrell, Margaret (Walter) Deacon, Patricia (Ken) Noble, Paula (Patrick) Loria, Carol (Rafael) Vargas, Jenine (Don) Ward, and the late Sharon M. Hoffman. He was the special grandpa to nineteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He shared his interests in coins, gardening, and good food with his children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Joan Gretz, Jane (Bob) Cusick and Judy Broggi; and his brother-in-law, Gerald Konchal. His loving presence, guiding wisdom, and dry humor will be deeply missed by all. Ray was a longtime member of Corpus Christi Parish, where he served as an usher and lector. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a founding member of St. Joseph County Right to Life and, in 2011, he received their Pillar of Life Award. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ray's name may be made to Corpus Christi Parish. The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the doctors and nurses of Memorial ICU for their compassionate care. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. today, October 18, 2013, Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. To send condolences online, please visit Kaniewski.com. .

Published in South Bend Tribune from Oct. 17 to Oct. 18, 2013