Surrounded by family, Raymond Bradley Avedon passed peacefully on Christmas Day.
Born on January 19, 1941, in New York, he was the son of Ernest Joseph and Ellen May Avedon.
Raised in Northbrook, Illinois, Ray was a 1959 graduate of Glenbrook North High School, later attending the University of Colorado to study engineering and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Ray was an accomplished entrepreneur and inventor, founding Avedon Engineering in 1963 and Airius in 2004.
Avedon Engineering, at its peak, was the largest custom toolmaker in the western United States, collaborating with prominent companies such as Amtrak, Apple, GE, JBL, Dell, Hanson ski boots, IBM and the US government. His latest successful venture, Airius, brought him much joy. Known by his friends and colleagues as a tremendous leader and talented engineer, Ray held dozens of patents related to his businesses and products.
Apart from his professional achievements, Ray was an avid sailboat racer, yachtsman, 3rd degree black belt in Judo, built his own home in Boulder, was a collector, rebuilt numerous engines, cars, and motorcycles, and had an encyclopedic ability to recall WWII history among other subjects. His sailing and yachting adventures took him to many places around the world including the Mediterranean, the east and west coasts of the USA, the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, numerous trips to Catalina Island and notably two passages through the Panama Canal. He lived a full life as a self-made man that many can only dream of.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara and his sister Beverly. He is survived by the love of his life, Ruth, of 41 years, his brother Robert Avedon, sister-in-law Cyndi, his children Brad Avedon, Tyler Avedon, Jill Hulbert, Christian Avedon, Nick Avedon, and his seven grandchildren.
His family, friends, business partners, and coworkers will miss him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring. Location and time to be determined.
Cremation is entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemor tuary.com for the Avedon family.