RAYMOND C. PLANKEY, INDIALANTIC, FL
Raymond Charles Plankey, 81, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Born in Dalton, MA, he moved his family from Lenox, MA to Indialantic in 1964. Ray began his career in computers after serving in the army at the end of World War II. Coming home from Okinawa, he studied in New York City at the cutting edge training center of IBM. Rays work history began at General Electric, where computing was in its early stages, utilizing punch cards to perform various functions. The computers were very large and extremely slow by todays standards, but reflected a great step forward at the time. During the next 30 years Ray would see enormous advances in speed and power, and computers would become very compact and practical.

After 16 years at GE, Ray would become immersed in the Space Program. He worked for NASA subcontractors RCA and Federal Electric Corporation. There he found that NASA was still several years behind in hardware and software compared to his previous experience. He was often called upon to provide training in practical applications to college graduates who joined the team on programs he served. Ray worked with NASA through the Apollo years, which included the 1st flight around the moon and all of the lunar landings, as well as manned flights, and the establishment of the US Space Station. One of his most treasured momentos is a medal presented to participants of the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission to the Space Station. It was a triumph in US- Soviet co-operation in space exploration. Ray finished his career in publishing with Harris Corporation, writing software descriptions for programs such as that capable of monitoring power grids for countries such as Saudi Arabia. His was a career that truly spanned the computer age, and saw it become a force that drives so much of what we do and enjoy today.

Ray is survived by his wife, Ellen, of almost 60 years. He supported and encouraged her passion as a very talented artist. They enjoyed traveling the country together to show her paintings and accept many awards. Ray is also survived by six wonderful children, Rae-Ellen Garcia del Busto, Charles Plankey and his wife Diane, Donald Plankey and his wife Marilyn, Robin Jean Short, Barry Plankey, and Cheryl Plankey Pena; five beautiful grandchildren, one great-grandson; a brother, John, and a sister, Marge. He will be missed by many other family members and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 9th at 2 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m. at Brownlie- Maxwell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Hospice of Health First, 1900 Dairy Rd, Melbourne, FL 32904.