Ray Dahlitz (1926-2015) – a true contributor

I knew Ray (and his partner Rosslyn) as movers and shakers in the Humanist society. Ray worked all his life to make the world a better place for its own sake. He had no “supernatural infrastructure” to support him, as he strongly concluded from his university days, that no religious system stood up to scrutiny.

He was a wonderful help to me in the establishment days of the Civil Celebrant Program in Australia. It was established by our mutual friend Attorney-General Lionel Murphy – the first “Humanist of the Year”. We avoided the trap of having “Humanist Celebrants” and “Civil Celebrants“.

The Funeral Ceremony was very enlightening. Raised in the Depression Ray had periods when the money ran out the only food his family could give a young boy was bread and dripping.

He made a great success of his business life as CEO of the firm Waproo which manufactures paper and other products. His staff, from what I was told, idolised him.

I will always remember him as a warm, friendly, personable and hospitable human being.