Raymond Auker Obituary

Raymond B. Auker
09/03/1930 - 11/01/2024
Raymond B. Auker, a lifelong philanthropist and social servant departed from this life on November 1, 2024 at age 94 – at peace and unafraid. He was a pillar of support for both his extended family and the wider community.
Born to Raymond Benner Auker and Cora Geneva Carpenter on September 3, 1930 in Wilcox, Arizona. After his father's death in 1932 from tuberculosis, Ray grew up in Ohio with his mother, two sisters, and loving stepfather, Francis Coleman.
Ray maintained a lifelong engagement with the YMCA, from being a Y camper to a Y Camp director in college. As a member, leader and supporter of the San Francisco YMCA for more than 50 years, Ray was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in 2000.
Educated in Ohio, Ray graduated from Medina High, from Heidelberg University, and from Ohio State in Columbus with his MA in Social Work 1954. Married to Nancy Armitage in 1952, Ray started a family with Nancy while serving in the US Army.
He next worked for the United Way in Schenectady, New York. As Executive Director of the Community Council in Fresno, California, Ray worked with Caesar Chavez before Chavez established the Farm laborer's Union. Following the Los Angeles Watt's Riots in 1965, the State of California in Sacramento hired Ray to setup social services in 13 racially tense cities.
Ray spent 30 years in San Francisco working on Federal government's War on Poverty Program and in US Public Health Services on the Pacific coast, establishing programs and centers for seniors, preschoolers, and low-income families.
A lifelong athlete, Ray loved gymnastics, running, tennis, and yoga. His extensive travels as a committed world citizen took him to all fifty US states and six continents.
Committed to civic responsibility, Ray participated in political campaigns, the World Federalist movement, the Civil Rights movement and in the Vietnam Peace movement. During retirement, he studied at the Fromm Institute, University of San Francisco.
President Joe Biden awarded him the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2021, recognizing his 22 years of volunteer gardening work at Sutro Heights Park.
Ray is survived by his children, Renée Tillotson, Todd Auker, Daniel Auker, and Melanie Auker; as well as former wife and friend, Nancy Auker; and loving friend, Jane Chiu. He leaves nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, many other beloved extended family members and friends.
When asked what he believed in, Ray replied: "Kindness". In lieu of flowers, he requested that you remember him with contributions to the San Francisco Marin Food Bank (www.sfmfoodbank.org) and a kind word to all you meet.