Raymond Sebastion Fries

Raymond Sebastion Fries, 99, of Bedford, died on July 13, 2018, at Pennknoll Village Nursing Home. He was born on June 19, 1919, in St. Paul, MN, a son of the late Jacob and Christine Fries. On February 2, 2002, in Bedford, he married Myrna Englert-Fries who survives along with the following family: two sons, Dr. John Fries and wife Joan, of Geyservile, CA, Raymond Fries, of Santa Rosa, CA; a daughter, Christine Harvey and husband Jay, of Sagle, ID; step-son, Steven Meredith of Barre, MA; four step-daughters, Claudia Aller, and husband Tim, of Hilton Head Island, SC, Rayanne Coy and husband Dale, of Barrington, IL, Kristy Reynolds and special friend Steven, of Barnstable, MA, Emily Jennings and husband Steve, of Louisville, KY; a niece, Janet Stockton and husband Ray, of Lake Ely, MN;  five grandchildren:  Allison, Jenny, Jordan, Jeb, and Jake;  and several great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Fries, and a sister, Edna Fries.

Raymond was a member of the St. James Episcopal Church. He worked as the Vice President for various companies including Honeywell, in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia From 1944-1965, Vice President for Varian Association, in Palo Alto, California, from 1965-1971; President of Esterline Angus, in Indianapolis from 1967-1971, Vice President of Esterline Corporation, in New York City from 1969-1971; President of Dietzgen Corporation in Chicago, from 1971-1973; Vice President of Allegheny Ludium Industries in Pittsburgh from 1973-1980; Executive Vice President of Allegheny Internat, 1980-1986 he was also the director of Allegheny Internat; President management consulting association at Chematron Corporation in Chicago; Director of Philadelphia Corporation; Contbg. and the Author of the Industrial Engineering Handbook.

Raymond had a great sense of humor and enjoyed time with his friends at the Fossilville Yacht Club where he served as the Commodore. He also enjoyed farming as a hobby. He raised rare pigeons and maintained his vegetable gardens.  He would always give away what he grew to his friends. He was an avid golfer and traveled the world with his career.  Raymond was a member of the F&AM Bedford Lodge #320, where he received the oldest lodge member pin.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the St. James Episcopal Church, in Bedford, with Rev. Jeffrey Bassette officiating.  Friends will be received on Thursday, August 9, 2018, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Raymond’s name to the St. James Episcopal Church, “Building Fund” 309 South Richard Street, Bedford, PA 15522. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.