(Herbert) Raymond Heinicke of Indianola, Iowa passed away Friday, May 1, 2015 at home in Indianola. He is survived by his wife Janet (Hart). Ray was born in Elgin, Illinois and child of Herbert Martin Edward Heinicke and Elizabeth Anderson. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1944; he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Ray served in the Philippine Islands and was honorably discharged in 1946. He graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a degree in Chemistry. Ray then went on to graduate school at University of Wisconsin - Madison obtaining a Ph.D. in biochemistry. Ray studied under E.B.Hart who was known for his work and discovery in vitamins. After a year of postdoctoral work in leukemia, Ray accepted a position in the research lab of Quaker Oats in the suburban Chicago area. After Quaker Oats, Ray formed his own technical consulting business and traveled extensively throughout the world giving expert technical advice in human and pet food nutrition. Along the way he earned a patent in small animal research. Ray and Janet married in June, 1955, almost 60 years ago, and raised their family in Elgin, Illinois. The children surviving him are Peter, married to Karen Michels and have two children: Jeremiah and Abigail, living in Elburn, Illinois. John, living in Johnston, Iowa, married to Stacey Eichhorn have three children: Ella Heinicke, Adam Cline and Hannah Martens and three grandchildren: Olivia, Lewis and Logan. Mary Beth lives in Ronkonkama, New York. Mark lives in Miami, Florida and Sarah lives in Portland, Oregon. Ray had two brothers Jim, Norman, Oklahoma, Ken, South Lyon, Michigan and three sisters Mary Ellen Byerly of Sedro Wooley, Washington, Frances and Betty predeceased him. Ray saw the earth as God's creation: The energies of his life time were focused on care for creation. Ray was very active on the Iowa Environmental Council and was a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists. He was a founding member of Iowa Power and Light environmental organization and the Indianola Green Team. Ray truly lived the life of a Rotarian as evidenced by his decade's long membership in Rotary. Ray was president of the Indianola Rotary Club and he and Janet were Paul Harris Fellows. Ray attended the Rotary International meeting in South Korea. Ray partnered fellow Rotarian from Ames, Iowa and was instrumental in water projects in Tanzania. Ray was also instrumental in bringing the grain crop Amaranth seed to Tanzania and he urged and spearheaded plans for a grinder to grind the Amaranth seed in Tanzania. A recent passion in his life even in the week of his death remained finding ways to introduce grain Amaranth as an alternative crop in East Africa so that children might have a better nutrition in their lives. Ray was president of the church council at Redeemer Lutheran Church. He traveled as a delegate to the assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and was especially active in Global Mission work, serving on the Southeastern Iowa Synod Global Mission team for companion congregations. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2015 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianola. Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 7 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Cremation will follow services and inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date in Earlham Cemetery in Richmond, Indiana. Memorials may be given in his name to the family to be distributed to environmental and international organizations.