Raymond T. Kase

Raymond Thomas Kase, Sr., 83, passed away on December 9, 2012 in The Reading Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Jane L. (Haggerty) Kase, with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage in October.

Born April 12, 1929 in Reading, he was a son of the late Raymond A. and Catherine (Holahan) Kase.

Ray was a 1947 graduate of Central Catholic High School, and then earned a degree in civil engineering from Villanova University. His first job was with Chance Vought, an aeronautics firm in Dallas, Texas for one year before joining Gilbert Associates, Inc., an international energy generation and civil engineering firm. His long career of 37 years as a Professional Engineer with Gilbert, took him to many different parts of the world to manage water treatment projects, including the Middle East, Central America and specifically Nigeria, where he made life-long friends that he remained in contact with throughout his life.

His professional associations included registration as a Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Virginia, life membership in the Society of Civil Engineers and membership in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

As important as his career as an engineer was to him, the most defining aspects of his life were his deep faith, and love of his wife and family. Additionally, many family friends of Ray and Jane continue to be life-long friends of many of their children.

Ray was involved in a number of community services. He was an active member of St. John Baptist De LaSalle R.C. Church, where he was a long standing member of the Finance and Building committees.

With the skills obtained as a civil engineer, and the help of his sons, he surveyed, designed and laid out the original athletic field complex at the new Holy Name High School, a place where he has watched all eight of his children and many of his grandchildren compete in sports for 48 years.

He was a member of the Berks County Republican Committee, and used his statistical skills in helping his close friend, Rep. James Gallen, in tabulating and projecting election results for many years.

This quiet thoughtful gentleman was always intellectually engaged, while continuing to challenge himself and share his international experiences in activities such as local college adult enrichment classes. He would always share his thoughts on politics, religion and social issues, with frequent articles and emails to all his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his eight children: son, Raymond T. Kase, Jr., husband of J. Louise Cramp; son, Stephen A., husband of Suzanne Kase; daughter, Susanne L., wife of Fred Gerber; son, Thomas P., husband of Jacqueline L. Kase; daughter, Barbara M., wife of Dr. Frederick Ciabattoni; son, John M., husband of Victoria Kase; son, Matthew J., husband of Rosemary Kase and daughter, Patricia A., wife of Steven Trautwein. There are also twenty-one grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are his five siblings: sister, Sister Josephine Kase, IHM; brother, Dr. James, husband of Dorothy Kase; sister, Kathleen, wife of John Kuczala; brother, William, husband of MaryAnn Kase and sister, Elizabeth, wife of David Lineaweaver.

There are also numerous surviving cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. John de la Salle R.C. Church, 420 Holland St., Shillington. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 5-8 in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Entombment will be held in Gethsemane Mausoleum, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: LaSalle Academy, 440 Holland St., Reading, PA 19607 and/or Berks Catholic High School, Attn: Annual Fund 955 E. Wyomissing Boulevard Reading, PA 19611.

For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.