Ray W. Ehlers

Ray W. Ehlers, 87, passed away Tuesday morning, August 16, 2011, at his home in La Jolla, Calif. He was born in Reinbeck, Iowa and lived there until 1942 when he joined the Merchant Marine. Upon returning to Reinbeck after the war, he met his wife to be, Claire, with whom he shared a marriage of 62 years. Ray worked for Diversy Chemical Products in Terra Haute, Ind. before the couple moved to Calif. There he held a position with Kinetics Corporation in Solana Beach. He later started his first business partnership with just a handshake. In the 1970s, he became president of Fotomat Corporation. Years later, he was president of Rush Press and New Horizons. Over the years, one of his greatest joys was serving as a mentor and entrepreneur for various businesses, not only for the satisfaction of seeing their success, but for the many friendships they produced. He is survived by his wife, Claire, two brothers, Gene of Boca Raton, Fla., Robert of Reinbeck, Iowa and eight nieces and nephews. Services will he held Saturday, August 20, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5151 Fanuel St., San Diego, CA 92109. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Burial and private family services will be held at a later date in Reinbeck.