Obituary of Raymond William Dankwardt

Raymond William Dankwardt passed away peacefully at Freeport Hospital, Kitchener with his family by his side on April 7, 2023, at the age of 92.

 Ray was born on February 19, 1931, in Kitchener, Ontario where he lived his entire life. Beloved husband of Hedwig “Hedy” Mary (Wiebe) Dankwardt for 61 years. Loving father of Dr. John William Dankwardt and his wife Dr. Sharon Marie (Gannon) Dankwardt and Anneliesje (Dankwardt) Warner and her husband Reginald “Scott” Warner. Dear grandfather of Carl Nicholas Dankwardt, Portia Elizabeth Warner and Kurtis William Warner.

 Predeceased by parents William Carl Dankwardt and Maria Wilhelmine (Siemon) Dankwardt and brother Walter John Fredrick Dankwardt and his wife Elaine Margeurite (Becker) Dankwardt.

Ray graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science honors in Physics and Mathematics from University of Western Ontario.  He was awarded the Gold Metal the same year for the highest academic standing in the honors Physics program.

He joined Raytheon Canada in 1958 and held various positions of increasing responsibility, including Manager of Engineering. As his career progressed, he became Program Manager of the Canadian Radar Modernization Project (RAMP), he was responsible for the production and installation of radar systems at 41 airports across Canada. He was named President of Raytheon Canada prior to retiring after 36 years of service.

Ray had a passion for genealogy and spent countless hours in retirement tracing and documenting his family history and authored several books. Ray and Hedy enjoyed classical music and attended the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony monthly concerts for more than four decades. Ray had a love for the outdoors and family summer vacations were spent boating and camping at Honeymoon Bay, Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Ray enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., on Saturday April 15, 2023, from 2: 00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. 

Condolences for the family and donations to Parkinson’s Canada or a charity of one’s choice may be arranged at www.erbgood.com