Raymond
Raymond F. Irby
Raymond F. Irby, 89, of Bedford, died Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at the Joseph C. Thomas Center, Richfield Retirement Community. He was born June 2, 1924 in Louisville, KY, a son of the late Raymond Edward Irby and Mary Henehan Irby.
Ray served with the Army Signal Corps during World War II in England, where he met his wife, Helen. He attended the University of Louisville, obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering. Before establishing a private engineering practice in 1964, Ray worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories, Melpar Inc., SCOPE Inc., and AGA Inc. in Northern Virginia. He had many patents and published several papers in the field of microwave systems.
Ray earned a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of IEEE, Tau Beta Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa. He held presidency in the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers, and the Northern Virginia Chapter of National Society of Professional Engineers. He was also president of the Washington Society of Professional Engineers and received the 1997 WSE award. Ray served on the board of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He worked in engineering until his retirement in 2006.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bailey Irby. He is survived by six children, Linda Powell and her husband, Kenneth of Bedford, Susan Irby of Bedford, Pamela House and her husband, Donald of Bedford, Eileen Atkinson and her husband, Robert of Midlothian, Christopher Irby and his wife, Dianne of Stafford, and Kenneth Irby of Bedford; ten grandchildren, Derek Powell, Stephen Powell, and Timothy Powell of Panama City, FL, Michael Irby and Helen Irby of Bedford, Jonathan House of Raleigh, NC, John Irby and Kathleen Negri of Stafford, Robert Atkinson and Katherine Atkinson of Midlothian; and six great great-grandchildren.
Ray was a member of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, Bedford, VA, where he was lector. He was active in the Travel Club of Roanoke, enjoyed traveling and dancing.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Joseph C. Thomas Center, Richfield Retirement Community in Salem, for their wonderful care over the past two years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite charity.
A Mass of Resurrection will be conducted at 9:30 AM, Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church.Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park with military rites given by the National Guard. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Friday, February 14, 2014 at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford. To send condolences, please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford, (540) 586-3443.
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Ray served with the Army Signal Corps during World War II in England, where he met his wife, Helen. He attended the University of Louisville, obtaining a degree in Electrical Engineering. Before establishing a private engineering practice in 1964, Ray worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories, Melpar Inc., SCOPE Inc., and AGA Inc. in Northern Virginia. He had many patents and published several papers in the field of microwave systems.
Ray earned a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of IEEE, Tau Beta Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa. He held presidency in the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers, and the Northern Virginia Chapter of National Society of Professional Engineers. He was also president of the Washington Society of Professional Engineers and received the 1997 WSE award. Ray served on the board of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He worked in engineering until his retirement in 2006.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Bailey Irby. He is survived by six children, Linda Powell and her husband, Kenneth of Bedford, Susan Irby of Bedford, Pamela House and her husband, Donald of Bedford, Eileen Atkinson and her husband, Robert of Midlothian, Christopher Irby and his wife, Dianne of Stafford, and Kenneth Irby of Bedford; ten grandchildren, Derek Powell, Stephen Powell, and Timothy Powell of Panama City, FL, Michael Irby and Helen Irby of Bedford, Jonathan House of Raleigh, NC, John Irby and Kathleen Negri of Stafford, Robert Atkinson and Katherine Atkinson of Midlothian; and six great great-grandchildren.
Ray was a member of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, Bedford, VA, where he was lector. He was active in the Travel Club of Roanoke, enjoyed traveling and dancing.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Joseph C. Thomas Center, Richfield Retirement Community in Salem, for their wonderful care over the past two years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite charity.
A Mass of Resurrection will be conducted at 9:30 AM, Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church.Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park with military rites given by the National Guard. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Friday, February 14, 2014 at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford. To send condolences, please visit www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford, (540) 586-3443.
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