Ray Radebaugh

Dr. Ray Radebaugh was born on November 4, 1939 to the proud parents of Vernon Harold Radebaugh and Velma Elise Johnson in South Bend Indiana. As a middle child, Ray was constantly entertaining his siblings, Vee, Veda and Rada. As an eight year old, he created an extremely detailed drawing of a steam locomotive by watching it pass each day and adding new details all the way down to the bolts each day.

Ray graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1958 where he excelled in academics and athletics. He played varsity Football and Basketball all four years. Additionally, ran Track and Cross Country and played Baseball.

He attended the University of Michigan from 1958 through 1962. He was invited to tryout for the University of Michigan Football team as a freshman, but decided instead to pursue an academic career in Physics. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics in 1962.

During his high school and college summers, Ray worked at his Father’s machining company “Johnson Forge and Machine Co., Inc” in Mishawaka, Indiana where he developed his interest in metal working which he continued to pursue as a hobby for many years. He owned his own metal lathe which he used to fabricate tools for the lathe as well as other tools which he used for his gardening and home projects.

Following graduation, he decided to pursue his graduate studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He earned his Masters of Science in Physics in 1965 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Physics in 1966. He was the winner of the Lark-Hurovitz Prize in Physics which recognized ability and exceptional research by a physics graduate student.

Following his graduation from Purdue University, he accepted a position at the National Bureau of Standards(NBS)/National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) in Boulder, Colorado as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Cryogenics Division under the Institute for Material Science where he served from 1966-1968.

In 1968, he accepted a position as a Research Physicist and Project Leader at the NBS. Spanning almost 30 years, in this position, he served in the Thermophysical Properties, Chemical Science Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Thermophysics Divisions.

In 1995 he was elevated to Group Leader of the Cryogenics Technologies Group as part of the Physical and Chemical Properties Division where he served until his retirement in 2009.

Following his retirement until his passing, he served as a NIST Fellow in the Thermophysical Properties Division where he continued to conduct research and professionally consult commercial industries. During his esteemed career at NBS/NIST, he published more than 200 articles in the research and study of Cryogenics and Cryocoolers.

Ray was also honored with multiple awards during his career including the J&E Hall Gold Medal from the Institute of Refrigeration (London) in 1999, the US Department of Commerce Silver Medal in 1995 and Gold Medal in 2003, the Samuel C. Collins Award from the Cryogenic Engineering Conference for Outstanding Contribution to Cryogenic Technology in 2009, and was added to the NIST Gallery of Distinguished Scientists, Engineers and Administrators in 2010.

Ray was also an excellent teacher. He enjoyed teaching and was known internationally for his short courses regarding cryogenics and cryocoolers in places including Japan, China and Europe.

Ray married Judith Kalmbach on August 25th, 1962. Ray and Judy were blessed with three amazing children: Michael, Keith, and Carol during this marriage.

Years later, Ray was blessed with another awesome son, James Case.

Ray later married Xixi Shen on June 6, 2007. They had two wonderful sons, Veran and Van.

Ray was an avid Rock Gardner. At his home in Louisville, Colorado, he built an extensive alpine rock garden that encompassed most of the yard and included many rare plants from around the world. It also included a prominent pond and stream feature which emulated the rocks and streams that could be found in the Rocky Mountains. His rock garden was featured on several area rock gardening tours and on a Colorado Gardening Youtube channel in 2022.

Ray enjoyed hiking and cross-county skiing in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

He loved travel. This included many trips to Japan and China. In the early 1970s, Ray and his family lived in Japan for 4 months as Ray accepted a research position at the University of Tokyo. He combined his love for Japan and hiking at one point by hiking up Mt. Fuji.

Ray also became a very talented ballroom dancer. He competed in several local competitions. He also loved listening to opera music.

Ray loved family dinners and cooking for his children and grandchildren. He loved to attend events such as football and basketball games as well as dance recitals and graduations and weddings. He shared his childhood stories and his passion for his work often with his family. He enjoyed working on math problems and giving extra math problems to Veran and Van to solve.

Ray was proceeded in death by his parents, Vernon and Velma and his bother Vee and his sister Veda.

Dr. Ray Radebaugh was called home to rest with the Lord on February 11, 2026. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Xixi; his children Michael Radebaugh, Keith (Delon) Radebaugh, Carol (Doug) James, James Case, Veran Radebaugh and Van Radebaugh; grandchildren Kaleb, Rachel (Nathan), Kara, Jarred (Malorie), Jordan, Jonah (Lizette), Hannah, Leah and McKenzie; great-grandchildren Luca, Logan, Leah, and Ivy; sister Rada Radebaugh; nephews John and Aaron and many friends.

Ray Radebaugh loved his family deeply. He leaves an incredible professional legacy in the field of cryogenics and he leaves a touching personal legacy that will be remembered by all of those who loved him.