Tributes
KD0BR Bob Ray at a DMRAA Hamfest
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing Bob Ray-KD0BR.
Bob was ITMG's long time Chairman & Secretary and will be greatly missed!
Bob passed away the evening of January 6, 2026. A celebration of life was held for Bob on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.,
at the Windsor Presbyterian Church, Windsor Heights, IA with a lunch that followed. The service was streamed on Zoom.
ITMG members were able to watch from across the US.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy-W0OBH (Bob's Wife) and family.
73 our friend...KD0BR SK.
Robert Joseph Ray
March 9, 1948 - January 6, 2026
Born in Cedar Rapids, IA
Resided in Urbandale, IA
Robert Joseph Ray (Bob) passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa after a long illness.
He was born March 9, 1948, to Esther and Martin Ray, and grew up in Cedar Rapids.
When he was diagnosed with blindness, the doctor prescribed only one thing: Take him home and raise him as a
normal child. Esther followed doctor’s orders, giving him the opportunity for many and varied experiences.
This formed him into a curious, adventurous person and, as a result, he was ready to take on the world and
became active in the National Federation of the Blind, serving in many state and local leadership roles.
Even when he wasn’t serving in these roles, he had plenty to offer that would help others succeed.
As a parent and a spouse, he took the concept of unconditional love very seriously, and wholeheartedly threw his
support behind his wife and children in all their endeavors. A gentle giant, he was unfailingly generous with his
time and resources.
He made any stranger feel like part of the group in a social situation, and was always welcoming and inclusive.
He loved to make people laugh, and could lighten even the darkest situations.
As a testament to his love for helping others and sharing his functional skills, Bob remained a dedicated Boy Scout
leader long after he had a child in the group. He also was a beloved and engaged amateur radio operator.
He loved listening to the Chicago Cubs on the radio, as well as to audiobooks. He also was famous for creating
hilarious backstories about the family dogs.
Bob married his first wife, Jan, in 1975, and they later divorced.
He married Cindy in August 1998, though they first met in high school. In the 1960s. Bob attended elementary and
high school at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. He went on to attend the University of Iowa for a semester;
then he worked at Collins Radio for a time. Bob attended computer training in Cincinnati, Ohio, and went on to work
as a computer programmer at the state. He retired from the state in the early 1990s and then ran several vending
operations in southern and central Iowa from 1994 to 2009 in the business enterprise program through the Iowa
Department for the Blind. He took great pride in keeping the machines stocked, clean, and in good working order.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard, and their parents, Esther and Martin.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his so,n Marc (Misty); his daughter, Antoinette Smith (Jeremy); several
grandchildren; his sister, Georgina Sue Ray; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held for Bob on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the
Windsor Presbyterian Church, 6301 University Ave, Windsor Heights, IA 50324, with lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you direct contributions to the National Federation of the Blind.
Visit nfb.org/donate or call 410-659-9314, extension 2430. The National Federation of the Blind
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises expectations for all blind people.
The service will be available on Zoom, which will open at 10:45. us02web.zoom.us/j/755291341 Mtg ID: 755 291 341
Ruthie Smith passed her technician license February 23, 2014 at the Hiawatha Amateur Radio Club RF fest.
Pictured behind Ruthie is Bob Ray, Craig Rose and Bob Dittert.
Bradon Sullivan
October 2, 1947 — May 6, 2016
"Kip" as known to his friends was a quiet, generous person. He was a generous benefactor to the Iowa Ten Meter Group
and will be greatly missed by his friends.
Obituary
Kip Sullivan age 68, passed away May 6, 2016 at his home in Kalispell, Montana.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday May 14, 2016 at 2 :00 p.m, at the Journey Church in Kalispell, MT. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.