Raymond Earl Wildung, Jr. passed away on January 26, 2025. He was born February 24, 1941, in Van Nuys, California to his parents Raymond Earl Wildung, Sr. and Isadora Valdejean. After high school in Van Nuys, he attended California State Polytechnic University (often nicknamed Cal Poly) and received a Bachelor of Science (Soil Science) degree. He loaded his pickup and traveled to Madison, WI with his new wife, Nancy Jones. From there, he received his Ph.D. in Soil Science (Bacteriology) from the University of Wisconsin and increased his family with daughter, Jennifer Lynn, and son, Mark Raymond.

In 1968, Ray accepted a position at Battelle-Northwest (now Pacific Northwest National Laboratory [PNNL]) as a Research Scientist. His PNNL resume is quite extensive. He authored or co- authored more than 300 scientific documents and was appointed Director of the Environmental Science Research Center. Ray was an E.O. Lawrence recipient – a prestigious research award from the U.S. Department of Energy – and a Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America – the highest award this society can bestow. Additionally, he was a PNNL Laboratory Fellow. He worked for a year at DOE Headquarters in Washington DC on loan from PNNL. The extra time was spent visiting the Eastern Shore, historical places, and parks. Ray was a “Million Miler” with Delta Airlines due to the many business trips he took to attend various meetings in the U.S., especially Washington D.C. and to several European countries.

Ray married Marilyn in 1994 and together they enjoyed family, friends, boating and all outdoor activities. Ray and Marilyn would have celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary this March.

After Ray’s Retirement in 2006, he became an Ocean Cruiser. Ray and Marilyn ventured out on an Alaskan and Caribbean cruise. Then the BIG trip, a fabulous journey on an Around the World Cruise for four months. Ray and Marilyn visited the Southern Hemisphere all the way to the South Pole, seven continents and back to the United States. Other cruises included the Panama Canal, Baltic countries and Asia. Ray even walked The Great Wall of China. Ray had many interests, and travel was at the top of the list that included yearly trips to almost every National Park, exploring Arizona, driving a motor home from Iowa to Anchorage and many tours around Alaska. He loved bird hunting with his dog Kelsey and liked to take his jet boat to Hells Canyon on the Snake River in Idaho. Ray also enjoyed snow skiing, fishing, camping and anything outdoors. His children and grandchildren were a very important part of his life. For those that knew him well, Ray was happiest at his favorite place in the world – his home on the Columbia River. He planned “Water World” every Labor Day weekend for all – boats, water skiing, and picnics.

Ray is survived by his wife, Marilyn, children, Jennifer Sands (John), Mark Wildung (Kristi), Susan Lilly, Julie Jones (Greg), Tracy Morales (Ted), Scott Gority (Jamie) and his sister, Nancy Minson. His blended family includes 10 grandchildren with spouses plus 5 great grandchildren who all loved him very much.

Ray’s family invite you to honor him at a Celebration of Life on April 5, 2025, 2:00-5:00 pm at the Sunset Life Celebration Center, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA.