Dr. Raymond O. Waldkoetter, Jr. passed away on Friday January 22, 2010 at St. Frances Hospital in Beechgrove, Indiana from heart failure. He was 81. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Frances McBane in 2004. He is survived by four daughters Lisa Keenan, Greta Banner, Janet Turko and Olivia and two sons Eric and Bill along with nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Carolyn Grossberg of San Diego, California. Raymond was born on October 25, 1928 in Muncie, Indiana to Raymond O. Waldkoetter, Sr. and Viola (ne Simmons) Waldkoetter. He attended Burris High School at Ball State University, and he transferred to Southport High School for his senior year graduating in 1946. Raymond married Mary Frances McBane daughter of Frank and Nell McBane (ne Pickard) of Snow Camp, North Carolina on September 25, 1953 at Concord United Methodist Church in Snow Camp, and the marriage lasted for 49 years until Mary passed away. Over the course of their marriage they had six children: Lisa 1955, Greta 1956, Eric 1959, Bill 1961, Janet 1964, and Olivia 1967. He graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor of arts degree in English in 1951 and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society. He also was a member the education association Phi Delta Kappa. Raymond enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951 and attended Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1952. He left active duty in 1953 from F Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and began service in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was promoted to Captain and served as the Commander of a 4.5 inch rocket battery. After service in the Marine Corps, he returned with his family to Indiana University in Bloomington where he resumed his studies earning a Master of Science in education in 1955. In 1957, he moved to Toledo, Ohio where he served as a student activities director for the University of Toledo. In 1959, he moved to Indianapolis to prepare his family for moving to Ghana, West Africa. In 1960 Raymond moved his family to Ghana, West Africa where he taught geometry and English at a Ghanan men''s teaching college which was affiliated with Indiana University. After teaching for less than one year, the government changed, and he was requested to leave. Raymond and his family left Ghana on short notice with only a few possessions for Greencastle, Indiana. About 20 years after his departure from Ghana, he wrote about his experiences in a novel entitled African Illusion / Price For Mercy. Raymond began his doctorial studies at DePauw in Greencastle, Indiana. He finished his studies at Indiana University in 1963 earning his Doctor of Philosophy in education. In 1963-64, he served as the Dean of Students at Shepherdstown College in West Virginia. After this position, he and his family moved to the south side of Indianapolis where he began working for the Army Research Institute as a research psychologist at Fort Harrison. He and his family were founding members of Christ United Methodist Church in 1966. In addition to his assignment as an Army research psychologist at Fort Harrison, he also had assignments in Washington, D.C. and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He retired from the Army Civil Service in 1993 after over 30 years of service. During his career, he was active in the Military Testing Association receiving the Harry H. Greer Award in 1983. Raymond was a member of the Masons serving in Monroe Lodge No. 22 earning the 32nd degree and becoming a member of the Scottish Rite. He served on the Monroe Institute of Applied Sciences Board of Directors in Faber, Virginia where he explored interests in psychology. During retirement, he continued professional activities including authoring articles for peer review research psychology journals, mentoring doctorial candidates, practicing clinical hypnosis, and attending conferences. He enjoyed the hospitality provided by staff at Buca di Beppo, Oaken Barrel, Mark Pi''s restaurants, and Jonathan Byrd''s Cafeteria. He supported many charitable causes. Raymond will be dearly missed by family and friends. Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memory Gardens. A service will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church 8540 US 31 South, Indianapolis, IN. 46227. You may sign the online guestbook at www.forestlawncemetery-fh.com.