RAYMOND WEHNER

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RAYMOND WEHNER May 1, 1930 - May 31, 2016 By announcing on February 28, 2016, that he was in a state of joy, gratitude and readiness for leaving this life, Ray set the tone for family and friends to join him in this place of acceptance. Over the following three months, this provided opportunities to gather so he could share stories of some of the experiences that mattered most to him. It was a gentle time to deepen relationships, share our love and prepare to let him go on to the next stage of his journey. Ray was a problem solver from an early age and this was reflected in many of the facets of his life. He worked his way up from Houseman to Bell Captain at Chateau Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains over eight summers while he completed his undergraduate and medical degree programs at the University of Manitoba. His love of climbing led him to be asked to participate in several rescue and recovery missions. One of these was on July 30, 1954, when he was on a team of five who led four Mexican women to safety from the Mount Victoria Glacier overnight in the dark so that they would not have to see four of their party who fell to their deaths due to the treacherous conditions. Chateau Lake Louise was also where he met fellow staffer Dorcas Runions of Winnipeg. They married in 1955 and their family grew to include three children and four grandchildren. After four years in medical practice in West Vancouver, he returned to Manitoba for more study. The family soon made their home in Selkirk, MB. In many years of psychiatric practice, a particular highlight was working with interdisciplinary teams in several communities in Manitoba. During these years, he pursued the answers to a question that had been with him from about age three when he wondered how the voices came to him from inside the radio. This led him to discoveries about human hearing and the development of patented microphone technology and the corresponding speaker technology. His memory is cherished by Dorcas, children Jan (Glen), Ariole (aka Sharon) and Tim (Jennifer), and grandchildren Claire, David, Alastair and Emma. Other family members are his brother Gilbert Wehner, sister-in-law Carol Runions, as well as nephew James and niece Marion Wehner and their families, and nephew Eduardo Wehner. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Soul Sanctuary, 2050 Chevrier Boulevard, Winnipeg at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 11, 2016