Raymond Brooks Viets
November 24, 1945 ~ July 31, 2019
We celebrate the life and mourn the death of Raymond Viets, beloved husband, brother, and uncle. On July 31, 2019, he passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife, Victoria (Vicky).
Raymond Viets was born on November 24, 1945, to Wallace and Evelyn Viets, in Brooklyn, New York. Raymond’s father was a minister so the family moved several times while he was growing up but he spent most of his youth in Connecticut.
Raymond loved history, including but not limited to military history. He also loved to travel to different parts of the United States and the world. Raymond had an inquisitive mind and loved reading. He also had an incredible memory and used to say that his mind was missing the delete button. Raymond also had a very outgoing and friendly personality and loved to meet new people and to talk.
Raymond graduated from Yale and spent much of his life working in Washington DC for the government, both in the military and in the civil service. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of military history and details. His military duties included Logistics, Military Police, and training. He particularly enjoyed conducting the training and was famous for his entertaining classes.
His travels while in the military, as well as when he was still working and then as a retiree, included trips to England, Italy, France, Spain, Brazil, Germany, and river cruises along the Danube and then the Rhine.
Raymond also loved dogs and dogs loved Raymond. He and Vicky adopted many rescued German Shepherds over the years.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Victoria, his sister Marian, his brothers Wesley and Robert, his niece Whitney, and his nephews Christopher, Mattison, Brad, and Ryan and his dogs Xena and Cairo.
Arrangements are with the Money and King Funeral home in Vienna, Virginia. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 10:30 am, at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Episcopal Relief and Development, or Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (VGSR).
Raymond Viets was born on November 24, 1945, to Wallace and Evelyn Viets, in Brooklyn, New York. Raymond’s father was a minister so the family moved several times while he was growing up but he spent most of his youth in Connecticut.
Raymond loved history, including but not limited to military history. He also loved to travel to different parts of the United States and the world. Raymond had an inquisitive mind and loved reading. He also had an incredible memory and used to say that his mind was missing the delete button. Raymond also had a very outgoing and friendly personality and loved to meet new people and to talk.
Raymond graduated from Yale and spent much of his life working in Washington DC for the government, both in the military and in the civil service. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of military history and details. His military duties included Logistics, Military Police, and training. He particularly enjoyed conducting the training and was famous for his entertaining classes.
His travels while in the military, as well as when he was still working and then as a retiree, included trips to England, Italy, France, Spain, Brazil, Germany, and river cruises along the Danube and then the Rhine.
Raymond also loved dogs and dogs loved Raymond. He and Vicky adopted many rescued German Shepherds over the years.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Victoria, his sister Marian, his brothers Wesley and Robert, his niece Whitney, and his nephews Christopher, Mattison, Brad, and Ryan and his dogs Xena and Cairo.
Arrangements are with the Money and King Funeral home in Vienna, Virginia. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 10:30 am, at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Episcopal Relief and Development, or Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (VGSR).
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From Dan Gowen, long-term friend and colleague. I met Raymond in 1977. Our friendship was firm and immediate cemented by a common military background. Raymond introduced me the the International Junior Officers’ Association in Washington, DC, attending numerous social and cultural events with visiting foreign military officers. I gave Raymond my white mess jacket to wear at one of these events. It was always great fun to hang and chat with Raymond. Over the years I treasured these long discussions and have alway thought that Raymond had the most memorable mind. I will miss him.
I was Ray’s classmate at Hillhouse High School in New Haven CT. Ray, myself and others usually played touch football at Edgewood Park after school. I enjoyed Ray’s warmth, sense of humor, and his ability to get open to receive one of my passes. Ray always listened when I talked, and listened to others also. It was because he cared about you and showed it in his smile as well as his words. I saw him once at a reunion. We sat and talked for a long time. It was wonderful to see him and talk to him. I’m so sorry that he’s gone. George Edelman, Watertown, CT
To my wonderful friend Raymond…First and foremost, Raymond was a sincere, honest and straightforward friend who’s broad intellect on military history was unsurpassed! He was often asked by the Commander, 55th Materiel Management Center to lead military discussions and conduct classes on various logistical topics. Raymond took these opportunities with a lot of energy and creativity. He knew how to get the soldiers attention either thru humor or by dressing for that time in history to implant his knowledge of the subject material. When taking Command General Staff College, Raymond not out of disrespect, but out of his photographic memory of military history would overwhelm the instructor and class with units, dates, times and places of tactical, operational and strategic periods. He was truly a unique individual that does not come around often. Secondly, Raymond, Vicky, my wife Mary and I had many occasions to share a birthday, New Years Party or other celebration. Ray would show-up with a Regimental tie, belt buckle or something similar to start the table conversation…this is my friend who I will dearly miss. Lastly, Raymond was one of the very first friends I met as I joined the 55th Command. Always supportive and genuinely there when I needed a “soundboard” to discuss career goals. Raymond was the first to call and “congratulate” me when I made General Officer…his comment “the system got it right this time.” I will never forget my friend Raymond Viets and Mary and I will never ever forget our friend Vicky! May God Bless you Raymond…we All know that you are now educating the Angels in Heaven.
Raymond was a dear friend from our years living and working in Washington DC. At get-togethers over drinks with him and his Yale classmate Bob Cottrol, we shared our experiences in the Army and civilian Federal agencies. Raymond would regale us with hilarious anecdotes about the foibles of military life and government bureaucracies. We will miss Raymond, but will hold fond memories of our times together. Bain and Karen Cowell
Our deepest sympathy, Vickie, on Ray’s passing. He was an all-around good guy. We will miss his high spirit, his great sense of humor and his extraordinary knowledge of all matters large and small. The Hillhouse HS class of ‘63 has lost one of its best. Mitch & Susan Pearlman
Mr. Viets was a long-time supporter of the Yellow Ribbon Fund. His and his wife’s donations helped us to serve wounded, ill and injured American service members (and their families and caregivers) receiving medical treatment and lengthy rehabilitation at the old and new Walter Reed Hospitals. He understood our cause and was a valued contributor. Condolences to the family on behalf of those he helped. (from the finance director, Yellow Ribbon Fund)
Raymond was a good friend who will be greatly missed. We knew each other through the Army Reserve. For many years he and I participated in active duty training in the UK. More recently, we attended reunions with our former British Army and U.S. Air Force and Navy counterparts in London. Last year my son and I joined Raymond and Vicky and other veterans from our Reserve unit (310th TAACOM) on a Rhine River cruise. We all had a wonderful time enhanced by many glasses of German beer and wine. I am very grateful that we could make this final adventure together before Raymond’s health started to fail. It was always a pleasure to see and share memories, often hilarious, with him. Our deepest condolences to Vicky.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of the decedent.