Raymond Ralph Hartzell

In loving memory of Raymond Ralph Hartzell, who lost his battle with Leukemia and went to be with the Lord on Sunday February 11th, 2024. He was prayed over and held by his family until his last breath. Raymond, commonly referred to by close family and friends as “Ray”, was born February 24th, 1947 in Portland, Oregon to the late Edgar and Margaret (Sturdevant) Hartzell of Vernonia, Oregon. After graduating from Vernonia High School in 1965, Ray worked in the logging industry in Vernonia before he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force –one week before receiving his draft notice. He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 thru 1969 and is a Vietnam War Veteran. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand and at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Vietnam, as a Flightline Weapons Specialist, otherwise known as a Bomb Loader. Upon his return from war and honorable discharge, he attended the fire science program at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon and started his firefighting career with Marion County Fire District #1 in Salem. In 1973, he relocated to Bend, with his dear friend and former Bend Fire Department Fire Marshall, Neil Hamilton, where he spent the remainder of his fire service with the Bend Fire Department, retiring as a Captain in 1999. Captain Hartzell had a significant impact within the department and the Central Oregon community. He was involved in departmental training, to include volunteers, co-coordinated the 2nd Annual West Coast Championship Firemen’s Muster in 1979 in Bend, was a major part of the fire apparatus restoration, and instrumental in moving Bend’s annual fireworks display to the top of Pilot Butte. For a short time, he was an instructor in fire operations at Central Oregon Community College. In 2004, Raymond became one of the founding fathers of Oregon Band of Brothers - his greatest passion. He wholeheartedly devoted his time, energy, and resources in support of ALL military veterans, focused on the main mission of providing friendship, camaraderie, and assistance. He literally gave his shirt off his back for veterans. As a quiet and humble servant, the number of veterans impacted by his compassionate assistance is immeasurable. Raymond was also was a skilled mechanic, inventor, avid reader, and thoroughly enjoyed hunting, woodcutting, and fishing! Raymond is survived by his wife Susan (McEvoy-Sipp), daughter Lisa Sipp-Scott, husband Preston Scott, and grandsons Derek, Jaret, Aiden, Kaleb, and Nolen; daughter Andrea Sipp and granddaughters Allie and Kara Buys; son Christopher and grandson Maverick Hartzell, Maverick’s mother Roblinn Wright, and her son Bryan Wright; sister Claracy Hancock, sister Nancy, husband Vance Baker, sister Kathy Brotherton, and brother Herbert Hartzell and wife Lorelie, and many nieces and nephews who also share loving memories with their Uncle Raymond. Also surviving are Ray’s special “adoptees” who he considered family; Jeff Codemo, Steven Schloe, Thomas Eldred and Bill Johnson. Preceding him in death was half-brother Glenn (Hartzell) Ferguson and dear friends Neil Hamilton and Phil Bellefeuille. A celebration of life will be held February 23rd at the Bend VFW where he will receive full honors by the Air Force, Bend Fire Department, and the Band of Brothers. In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations can be made to the Oregon Band of Brothers.

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Raymond Ralph Hartzell

February 24, 1947 - February 11, 2024