Raymond R. Hernandez, 85, of Munster, IN passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.  He was married to his devoted wife of 48 years, Diane (Hrej) Hernandez, and was an amazing father to his children: son, Paul (Alison) Hernandez; daughters, Lisa (Steve) Rackow, Leslie (Nick) Dragos, Laura (Rudy) Ortiz, and Lyndsey Hernandez; a loving grandfather to his grandchildren: William and Andrew Rackow, Miles and Isabella Dragos, Maxson, Macy, and Makenna Ortiz; and a cherished uncle to his nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his brother John Hernandez and his sister, Mildred (Gene) Wydrinski.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Salvador and Julia (Siemplinski) Hernandez.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 5, 2021 from 3:00-8:00 pm with a prayer service at 3:30 pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 12:00 pm at St. Thomas More Church, 8501 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN.  A visitation will be held before the service on Tuesday from 11:30 am – 12:00 pm at the church.  Interment will be at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville, IN.

Ray graduated from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, with a degree in Electrical Engineering and earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He retired from Inland Steel after 36 years of service, where he held a number of positions including Manager of Maintenance and Manager of Finance before becoming Director of Energy.  While at Inland, he served as the Chairman of American Institute of Steel Engineers and was the U.S. Representative for the International Iron and Steel Institute Maintenance Committee.  After retirement, he worked at Beta Steel as the Manager of Engineering and Maintenance, and then as an Instructor and Technical Writer at ESW.

Ray loved Purdue, the Cubs, and his country, but above all else, he loved God, his children and grandchildren, and his soulmate of nearly 50 years.  Ray was loved by many, and his kindness, generosity, and honesty will be greatly missed.