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HOUGHTON -- Mr. Raymond "Ray" Kestner, age 91, of Grand Haven, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023, surrounded by his family and staff at Grand Pines Assisted Living Center. He was born June 16, 1932, in Houghton, Michigan to Steven and Amelia (Marzene) Kestner. Raymond, graduated from Houghton High School, in 1950, where he played hockey and football. He attended Michigan Technological University (MTU) and graduated with a baccalaureate degree in civil engineering in 1955. At Michigan Tech he was a member of the ASCE student chapter, Vice President of the Varsity Club, a member of Kappa Delta Psi, and was a four-year letter winner in varsity hockey.
While a student at MTU, Ray met the love of his life, Janet Kangas, in 1953, while ice-skating at the local ice arena. Two years later, on May 21, 1955, they married at the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Atlantic Mine, MI. Ray then spent two years overseas in the Navy Seabees. After returning to civilian life, he spent five years as a Paving and Quality Control Engineer on the K.I. Sawyer and Kincheloe Air Force Bases.
Ray and Janet spent the next 15 years in lower Michigan, raising their young family. During that time, Ray, along with two partners, formed the Michigan Testing & Drilling Company of Detroit, Michigan, where it became a nationally recognized firm and was listed on the Engineering News Record 500.
In 1971, Ray returned to Houghton where he served as the City Manager and Director of Public Works through 1997. Ray is credited as being the visionary responsible for the revitalization of Houghton which resulted in the city receiving the Community of Excellence Award from the State of Michigan for 1987-1989 and 1991. In 1989 he gave a presentation in Washington D.C. describing Houghton's shoreline development at the Waterfront Development Conference sponsored by the National League of Cities. In 2014, the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park was dedicated in his honor. Ray received the Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce "Person of the Year" Award in 1982, was selected as the Copper Country "Man of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce in 1984, received the Michigan Tech Distinguished Service Award in 1988, and the Rotary Community Service Award in 1989.
Ray and Janet were strong supporters of Michigan Tech and were proud to tell anyone and everyone that all seven children were graduates of this elite engineering school. Family was the center of Ray and Jan's life, and they loved spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Ray enjoyed fishing, gardening under the direction of Janet, and doing DIY projects in the house and for his kids. In his later years, Ray enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and sneaking them candy when their parents weren't watching.
Raymond is survived by his six children: Dr. Mark (Liz) Kestner, Mary (Albert) Mickalich, retired Lt. Col. David (Joanna) Kestner, Doris (John) Hohle-Heins, Helen (Rob) Weykamp, and Ruth (Chris) Groven; son-in-law, Roy Bourcier; sixteen grandchildren: Jack (Ashley) Kestner, Jane Kestner, Dr. Elizabeth (Justin) Rose, Lynn Mickalich, Katie (Nate) Adams, Caroline Kestner, Emily (Taylor) Hohle, Andrew Hohle, Gabrielle Bourcier, Maxwell Bourcier, Aliina (Reilly) O'Toole, Dr. Lydia Weykamp, Alex Weykamp, Reier (FiancÈ, Anna Maturski) Groven, Leah Groven, and Ellie Groven; six great-grandchildren: Elodie, Emeric and Esme Rose; Isla and Aiden Kestner; Emmett O'Toole; brother, Harold Kestner; sister, Helen Glover; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Janet, daughter, Susan Bourcier; son-in-law, Lt. Col. Marc Hohle; brothers Robert, Paul, and Jerry Kestner, and his twin sister, Margaret Keating.
A private family prayer service will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. A funeral mass, a burial with military honors, and a celebration of life will be held in August 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake.
In honor of Ray's military service (in lieu of flowers) donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarrior project.org/donate.
Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.