1928-2008
Ray oh Ray, I asked you not to pester St Peter for his time of
birth, but you did. And I believe St Peter replied not needed here Ray
as astrology is the science of God, and for your information it is the
second oldest profession. Also St Peter said his boss always gets a
laugh when astrologers try to figure out his year of birth, and his
son, let alone the time.
At these times you are supposed to say only nice things. So I
made a list of all Ray's bad characteristics and habits that I should
mention, and ended up with a blank page.
Dr. Ray received many astrological awards and accolades from far
and wide around the world. Ray being a Tropical astrologer, he even
was honoured from India by Manick Chan Jain and Dr Parasmani, and
various other Vedic astrologers.
Ray was always a gentleman, kind, honourable, honest with a
very sharp whimsical sense of humour. Through astrology and
commonsense he helped a lot of people and this can be attested from
his readers phone calls and emails from friends.
Ray had a great life and became an astrologer just after World War
II working at Tooths brewery where he volunteered to do the Sun Sign
column for their magazine. Not knowing a thing about the subject he
bought a book and studied the subject and then came forward as an
expert 10 minutes later.
He had many career moves, mainly with the National Cash Register
Company and as a country radio announcer, then into sales and
marketing with 2SM and 2GB.
Ray, Arthur Bowman and I met in 1975 at a Federation of Australian
Astrologers NSW meeting, where we became friends known in some
branches as the three wise men (but only wise after the second glass
of port) and we were soon involved with this organisation, and then to
the Federal level.
Of course Ray's son Martin was then a young man at that time and
much to his dad's dismay, he was a bit of a tear-away, just like most
of us growing up. Martin turned out okay ending up with his own
financial business, and Ray was very proud of Martin’s career and
maturity.
Ray was selected as the No 1 to run the 3rd International
astrological conference at the NSW University in 1980 which was a
resounding success. I still have the video of the opening ceremony
where you can see his talent and wit when running the Questions &
Answer's section at the next conference in 1986. Through his magazine
he was always a great help to those who ran all these conferences in
NSW.
In 1980 he bought the Astrological Monthly Review magazine, which
became one of the loves of his life. This venue enabled him to help so
many, and to launch the careers of up-and-coming astrologers in all
the different systems of astrology.
Ray's interest in spiritualism over the many years of his life led
him to Art and to produce many painting in both oils and water
colours. He would often disappear on sketching trips in the bush, even
as far as Coonabarabran.
Prior to the 1980 conference the so-called three wise men met to
help organise that conference and selected a pub in the Rocks to do
so. Being such a great event we decided that we must do this every
Wednesday (the lunch not the conference), and until recently and for
over the past 30 years we would have a drinkey-poo lunch each week.
Soon everyone wanted to be invited, especially those visiting from
overseas.
So many astrologers and friends have sent their condolences,
and it is impossible to mention them all. From the USA the Denises,
both Flaherty & Harness many others kindly remember Ray for his
generosity and help, especially Dona Van Toen who was a long time
special friend. Our hearts go out to Martin and the family, who I know
appreciate all your thoughts and they will hold this day very dear to
their hearts.
The late Gwen Stoney would have been up there to welcome Ray
along with his parents and son Morgan. Ray was a great believer of the
after-life and the karma involved.
Ray's marriage to Ethel was also quite an event. The Reverend Ted
Noffs was just about to say "I pronounce you man and wife" when he
stopped and looked at his watch. "Sorry" he said "I have to speak for
a couple more minutes until the required astrological time for this
pronouncement". Ray and Ethel travelled a lot overseas, especially
cruises and lecture tours in the USA.
Ray liked his life, a good lunch, and only a beer or two, good
mates and stimulating, if at some times somewhat controversial
conversations. However you were never quite sure if he was pulling
your leg.
A lot of his childhood and teen years were spent in the Blue
Mountains bush walking and as a Scout Leader. Later on from 1991 we
had many lunches in the Blue Mountains. Ray finally decided to move
from Sydney and bought a house in Katoomba in 2006, then joined the
Wentworth Falls Bowling Club. He loved his bowls and liked to dress up
in his bowls gear. Ray made many friends at the club and fitted in
with us all with his many stories about his time in radio and his
exploits. He was very appreciative of the generous help the bowler’s
gave him when settling in, both at the Club and his home.
There is a great feast of stories about Ray's life for each
individual who knew him, and one good point was Ray’s commendable
trait that he never could hold a grudge for very long, even when he
kept mentioning it.
Well before Star Wars, he always signed off his magazine editorials
with "may the force be with you" it certainly still is. Ray you have
left a great hole in my life and you were my only true friend.
Farewell my friend and long time mate.
Keven Barrett
Visit Keven Barrett's Memorial click here.
Ray Webb's Eulogy - 18th January 2008. At the Leura Gardens
Crematorium.
Ray (standing) with his good friend Marc Penfield, taken at the
AFA 2006 Convention in Louisville Kentucky.
RAYMOND H. WEBB - Friend of Astrology
Ray was a great friend and supporter of Astrology and Astrologers.
His generosity of spirit has been an inspiration to me during
the 28 years I have known him. As Editor and Publisher of
'Astrological Monthly Review' since taking over in 1980, his promotion
and mentorship of aspiring and well established astrologers and also
astrological organisations in his magazine, was outstanding. Ray
was a Fellow and Professional Member of the Federation of Australian
Astrologers and was presented with the Jyotish Ratna Award in 1986 for
services to Astrology.
His involvement with FAA included working in executive positions
and convening FAA International Conventions. He played an
important role in FAA's development and history
Ray lectured internationally and in particular attracted a large
following at American Federation of Astrologers, Inc. Conventions.
His relaxed, easy going style and ability to present the
difficult subject of astrology to the public in a clear,
understandable manner, made him an instant favourite. In 1996 at
the AFA Orlando Florida Convention, Ray received an award for 'Most
Popular Lecturer'.
A prolific astrological writer and media personality, Ray wrote
'Your Day by the Stars' broadcast throughout Australia and New Zealand
since 1988. He was author of the 36 book series 'Pan Australian
Horoscopes'.
In our lifetime we can count on one hand those we can call true
friends and Ray Webb was one of those rare individuals. He died
the day before his 80th birthday
Ray will be sadly missed.
Pamela Rowe, LPMAFA
OTHER MEMORIALS FOR RAY WEBB:
http://www.uraniannights.com/articles/raywebb.html
BIRTH AND DEATH DATA:
Source: Keven Barrett and Pamela Rowe
BIRTH: January 13, 1928 0:35 am AEST Sydney Australia 33S52
151E13
DEATH: January 12, 2008 11:40 am AEDT Katoomba Australia
33S42 150E18
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CREDITS: This memorial was written by Keven Barrett and
Pamela Rowe, created by Liz Houle with graphics provided by Word of Mouth Web
Design.
