A Life Well Lived

Over at Obsidian Wings, Hilzoy has amassed all of the blogs that linked to Andrew Olmsted's last post. You never know the effect you have on another person until you pass. This post about my cousin Lt. Col. Ray Plumley, MD who died the week before Christmas leaving two 6-year old twin girls showed what an effect he had on people's lives (I received countless e-mails relating stories of the good things he had done for friends and patients).

The same can be said of Andrew Olmsted who protected us while we remain fat, dumb and happy at home and in spite of a media that will condemn every act that even appears suspicious before the facts play out did it because he was a patriot of the highest order.

Thanks for putting it all together, Hilzoy. I hope it gives his family a little joy to know what his words meant to so many.

Rest in Peace Lieutenant Colonel Ray Plumley, M.D.

Let me tell you about a remarkable man who passed on last Sunday evening. That man is Lt. Col. Ray Plumley, United States Air Force.

Ray grew up in a sleepy little town in Western Massachusetts named Monson. Monson is the type of town that is Norman Rockwell-esque, far enough away from the big city that the residents don't even have that irritating Boston accent. Ray grew up riding snow mobiles in the winter and motorcycles in the summer and anything else he could in between. Whether it was playing soccer or water skiing, Ray was good at it.

Ray was nominated to attend the US Air Force Academy in 1985 by Ted Kennedy I believe and while there excelled. He graduated with honors in 1989 with a BS in Operations Research and moved on to his first duty station--pilot training. Ray flew Hueys at Vandenberg AFB in California for three years. He rose to the rank of Captain.

Although he enjoyed flying, he wanted more and when Ray put his mind to something, there was no stopping him. He set his sights on earning a medical doctorate and anyone who knew Ray knew he would succeed. He passed the required tests and was accepted into Georgetown University where he spent four years and eventually did indeed earn that degree. He moved on to his residency at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Later, he worked as a physician in Germany.

In 2003, now Major Plumley was deployed to Ul Udeid AB in Qatar and was now a military physician in a theater of war. That same year he was awarded the 52nd Medical Group Physician of the Year.

Along the way, Ray met a beautiful woman and knowing a good thing when he saw it, he married her. They traveled to Costa Rica twice on medical missions and were a great couple. They eventually had two beautiful twin daughters who are now six-years old.

Along the way, Ray earned numerous medals and citations including the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Airforce Commendation Medal, the AF Outstanding Unit Award with valor device and several others. But still, he was Ray. He still rode motorcycles and still rock climbed but most of all, he worked at the most demanding of jobs--being a Dad.

Ray eventually returned to Andrews where he served as a Teaching Family Physician and showed the interns how a doctor should perform their duties. From all accounts I've heard from co-workers whether enlisted, officer or civilian, Ray was an excellent physician.

How do I know all this you may ask? Ray Plumley is my cousin. The first time I ever stayed up past midnight when I was a kid was with Ray. The first time I rode a snow mobile or water skied was with Ray. We all have memories that stay with us from when we were young, the ones that stay forever imbedded while others fade away. The memories of going up to Monson and seeing my cousin Ray Ray are ones that remain vivid.

I hadn't seen Ray as much as I'd have liked this last decade, what with having kids in sports and other activities and the basic demands of life. I regret that now. Life is full of regrets and this is one that will stay with me because it can't be changed.

For those who knew Ray and stumble upon this via Google or other search engine, welcome and please share your thoughts on Ray below. E-mail me at sswenviron@verizon.net when you do so I can read what you've written. For those who never met Ray, I feel bad that you never had the opportunity because he wouldn't have been just Ray, he'd also be known as friend.

Update: How much of an effect did Ray have on people? Judge for yourself by reading this.

Update: Here's the Legacy page where you can leave condolences for the family.