Ned S. Raun

Dr. Ned Smith Raun, 92, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on August 10, 2017. The eldest child of Chris and Sarah Raun, Ned was born in Upland, Nebraska on February 10, 1925. He graduated as valedictorian from Campbell High School in 1942 and then served honorably in the United States Air Force as a Navigator, 2nd Lieutenant until the end of World War II. While home on leave, Ned met and later married the love of his life, Esther "Essie" Burris Zangger, on August 18, 1946. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of Nebraska in 1948, where he was also a proud member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. After graduation, he farmed for eleven years on the Raun homestead in Upland, Nebraska. Ned made a major career change in 1958 when he took his family of five to Ames, Iowa, where he earned a PHD in Ruminant Nutrition from Iowa State University graduating in 1961. From that point forward Ned dedicated his life to international agricultural research and development serving various leadership positions with the Rockefeller Foundation, International Center for Tropical Agriculture, USAID, Winrock International and MIAC. He was the recipient of numerous honors and recognition throughout his fulfilling career. His profession led Ned to Mexico City, Oklahoma, Colombia (South America), Arkansas, and Washington DC, ultimately establishing residence in Stillwater, Oklahoma upon retirement in 1994. During retirement Ned became active in the Stillwater United Methodist Church, Golden Kiwanis Club, Meals on Wheels and was a graduate school lecturer at Oklahoma State University. In 2010, he and Essie moved to Inverness Village Retirement Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ned loved agriculture and took great enjoyment in managing his farm in Nebraska after retirement. He also loved family and family gatherings, as well as reunions with Rockefeller, the Eighth Air Force and the 92nd Bomb Group. Ned endeavored to make the world a better place through his international work and he leaves cherished memories and a wonderful legacy. Ned was preceded in death by his son, Larry Raun, and son-in-law Jim Hromas. He is survived by his wife, Essie, his five children and their spouses, Kathi (Jim) Blazer, Barbara (Paul) Kroening, Richard (Kay) Raun, Edward (Gisela) Raun, and William (Tanya) Raun and daughter-in-law Karen Raun, his siblings Joan Kopf, Robert (Eileen) Raun and Arthur (Ruth) Raun; fourteen Grandchildren: Stacey Wistuba, Scott Kroening, Lindy Hromas, Christi Hahn, Clay Raun, Brett Raun, Jamie Javed, Rich Raun, Billy Raun, Kelli Raun, Anne Raun, Kate Raun, Chris Raun and Dana Raun; and twelve great grandchildren: Emma, Tristan, Miles, Darcy, Leah, Kyleigh, Calvin, Demir, Madison, Truett, Aria and Sienna. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Stillwater, OK with Reverend Stan Warfield officiating. A grave site service will be heId at the OSCO cemetery in Upland, Nebraska, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association at ALZ.org.

Ned S. Raun

February 10, 1925 - August 10, 2017