Frank Reginald Raymond
November 16, 1944 – December 16, 2023
Frank was welcomed into glory on December 16, 2023. Although we are grieving the loss of his presence here with us, we rejoice that his eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s is over. We are confident he is enjoying a restored mind and body with His Savior.
Frank was a native of New England. He was born in Meriden, Connecticut but lived throughout the New England region during his childhood. He would often talk of his fun memories of growing up there with his five siblings and playing the alto horn for Salvation Army kettles with all the kids in full SA uniform during the Christmas season.
After graduating from Lexington Christian High School, in Cambridge, MA, he followed his family to Ohio where he attended Malone [College] University. Frank played baseball and basketball and ran Cross Country. It was at Malone that he met the lovely Ruth Ann (Winn). In their senior year, it was a beautiful foreshadowing that as the Homecoming King, as he crowned Ruth Ann, the winning Queen, he said “may I kiss the bride?”
They were married in August of 1967. After graduation from Malone with a degree in psychology, Frank continued his education and received a Masters of Sociology from Bowling Green University. He then was hired by his alma mater to teach psychology classes and quickly also became Dean of Students at Malone.
After experiencing his own father’s death as a result of ALS, Frank felt the Lord calling him to medical school. He and Ruth Ann, along with newborn daughter, Heather, left Ohio for Chicago to begin his next career. Their son, Sven, was born while he was in medical school. Frank graduated in 1977 from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. At Doctors Hospital West in Columbus, he soon discovered the joy of helping couples bring their newborns into the world. Their daughter, Holly, was also born during this period.
After completing first a family practice residency and then an OB/GYN residency, he began a practice in Marysville, Ohio in 1983 as an Obstetrician. He served that community until his retirement in 2011. Through a compassionate and dedicated practice of almost 30 years, Frank helped deliver almost 4,000 babies.
The Salvation Army motto “Heart to God; Hand to Man” was illustrated in the way Frank lived all of life. In addition to being a respected physician, Frank was also an active member in their church, Shiloh Friends. He served for several years as Elder of Spiritual Life and would often co-teach a class with Ruth Ann, a class she taught for 20+ years.
Frank was also active in the community. He taught sexual health & purity seminars at Marysville Middle School, Trinity Lutheran, and Worthington Christian High School. Frank was a founding board member and vital partner in starting the Pregnancy Care Centers in Union County. He was a champion and advocate for Memorial Hospital of Union County and instrumental in the building of the Miracle Life Center. He also was a contributing member of the Union County Foundation.
He was an athlete through and through. He was an avid golf fan as a spectator and player. He was a member of Muirfield Village Golf Club for 30 years and enjoyed scoring each year during the Memorial Tournament. He loved attending sporting events, especially to watch his children and grandchildren play and was the loudest whistler at those events. He personally taught his children how to golf, swim, ice skate, throw the baseball/softball, drive stick shift, maneuver out of a fishtail in the snow and properly put up Christmas lights. However, the greatest lesson he gave his children was how he loved and served his Lord.
Many people affectionately called him “Doc” but his favorite title was husband to Ruth Ann. Their marriage was a partnership of love and respect, built upon the solid foundation of their faith.
Frank will be deeply missed by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Ann, their children Heather (Ryan) Laughlin, Sven (Paula) Raymond, Holly (Daryl) Dicke, and 17 grandchildren: Nathan (Zadie), Luke, Zach, Andrew, Lillian, Caroline, Emma Grace, Lucia, Elijah, Annelise, Malachi, Benjamin, Magnolia, Noah, Zion and Lincoln. They are extremely grateful for how he modeled a lifetime of everyday faithfulness. He is survived by his brothers: Clifford (Marcia), Jonathan (Irene), Norman (Jacquelyn), Russell (Karen) and his sister: Sue (Michael) Vansuch and his brother-in-law, Harold (Melanie) Winn and many nieces and nephews.
After a private burial, there will be calling hours 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Underwood Funeral Home, 703 East Fifth Street, Marysville, Ohio.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 at Northwest Presbyterian Church 6400 Post Rd., Dublin, Ohio.
In honor of Frank’s legacy, donations can be made to:
Malone University (https://www.malone.edu/) and New Path Pregnancy Resource Centers (https://www.newpathprc.com/)
Psalm 73:23-26:
“…My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.”