Ray fell in love with the Keweenaw region while attending nursing school in 1975 at MTU and began canoeing and camping on every stream and river possible in the western UP over the past 50 years. 100+ now. Community service has been an integral part of his life for several decades, related to his life' passions of fly fishing and work in hospice care. This led him to be a founder and board member of Copper Country Trout Unlimited in the 1990s and then Omega House. His professional experience in hospice care and volunteer service to protect our cold water resources has led to decades of experience in public speaking, fundraising, board process and promoting organizational growth and stability.

Ray is married to Viki and they have raised four daughters in the home they built in Keweenaw County in 1985.