Raymond Robert Kauffman

November 13, 1933 – March 26, 2018

Ray was born in Ann Arbor, MI, the only child to Raymond R. Kauffman and Blanch (McClinchey) Kauffman and is survived by his wife Marylene aka Lynn (Mateo) Kauffman. Ray graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Masters of Arts in Special Education and was a member of Phi Kappa Delta Speech Honorary Fraternity. Ray dedicated his life trying to make the world around him a better place. He accomplished this in many ways in the lives that he touched as well as through the work he did with substance abuse intervention and counseling centers for recovery for which he received both local and national recognition. One of his proudest accomplishments was his work with an organization he founded in Philadelphia, PA called Students Concerned with Public Health for which the group received a Presidential Citation in 1972. He spent a great deal of his life’s work in the school systems mentoring and educating young people on the dangers of drug abuse and destructive lifestyles. In his mid 40’s, Ray purchased a bar and used the venue to freely feed, clothe, and provide health check-ups for derelict patrons instead of serving them alcohol. He had a great love for art and music and held a deep appreciation for learning on just about every subject matter. More than anything, though, Ray loved his beautiful wife Lynn, celebrating over 25 years of marriage together. While Ray had no natural children of his own, he considered several to be sons and daughters through his life’s work of reshaping lives toward greater potential and helping others. He often requested that the epitaph for his life be: “He cared and he tried”.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Ray’s life Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:30AM at the Mongolian Buffet 4235 E 12 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48092 – Internment 2:30 PM at Roseland Park Cemetery 29001 Woodward Ave, Berkley, MI 48072