Raymond E. Camburn passed away on October 8, 2019 after a heartbreaking and painful battle with spinal stenosis and peripheral neuropathy. Ray was born on October 7, 1941 in a Bensalem farmhouse, the son of the late Raymond H. & Edna G. and younger brother to Margaret. He was preceded in death by several family members, including his Mother-In-Law Sadie, whom he cherished, his Sisters-In-Law Doris & June, the latter who “kept him on his toes”. He was survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Peg, his devoted daughter Debi, his true friend and son-in-law Jim, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and treated them as if they were his own.

Ray, a.k.a. “Froggy” started his lifelong career of service when he became a member of the Eddington Fire Company, rescuing humans and animals alike, despite a deep-seated fear of heights. He left high school early to help support his family before enlisting in the United States Navy. Ray honorably served from 1961-1965 during the Viet Nam War as an E3 electronics technician, working on planes, helicopters and UAV’s. He returned home in January 1965 and met his true love, Peg. Their whirlwind romance started with a friendship ring at Christmas, an engagement ring by Spring 1966 and they were married three months later. He began work with Kelly Construction as a bricklayer but changed careers out of necessity due to the economy and became the oldest Philadelphia Police Academy graduate to date in 1977. He worked in several districts within the city, primarily in the 1ST and 8TH, where he met his best friend and brother-in-arms, Tom Kelch, where they were consistently lauded for their devotion to the citizens they swore to protect.

Dad was happiest when he was making a difference in other people’s lives, including those he met on the job. This became more evident with each memory shared by those his family had the good fortune of meeting. Ray begrudgingly retired from the department at the end of 2003, spent 1.5 months retired, and promptly went back to work with the Philadelphia Phillies leading their security detail, before starting work at Boscov’s Department store and moving to the Poconos. His love for animals continued there, where he would audibly delight in celebrating the daily early morning arrival of the wildlife, to Peg, who was usually still sleeping, and less than enchanted.

Ray was a man of faith and had a great respect for the rule and spirit of the law, which he instilled in his daughter Debi. Both held to the mantra “your character is what you do when nobody is watching.” He was a simple man, wanting little more than a relaxing day to play piano, a good seafood meal, or watch sports; he was a “more than enthusiastic” Philly sports fan, as every family pet who shared his beanbag could attest! He always went far above and beyond for his extended family and friends, often at sacrifice to himself. He had an infectious, often disarming laugh, an unconventional sense of humor, and truly loved helping anyone he could. Even at his worst, he was a true gentleman and the world was better for having him in it. He is immensely missed by those who loved him most.

Family & friends are invited to the graveside service with full Military Honors at Washington Crossing National Cemetery on Wednesday, October 25TH at 10:15am (830 Highland Rd., in Newtown, PA). A Celebration of Life luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ray to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at https://www.pspca.org/ or the Pennsylvania Concerns of Police Survivors at https://www.pacops.org/

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