Obituaries
Ray K. Hacker, 90
August 7, 1930 - February 03, 2021
Ray K. Hacker, 90 of Lititz, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Landis Homes Retirement Community. Born in Milford Twp., Bucks County, he was the son of the late Albert and Pearl (Kaiser) Hacker. Ray was the beloved husband of Agnes (Rosenfeld) Hacker, and together they shared 62 years of marriage.
Along with his wife, Ray is survived by four children: Cheryl Hacker and her husband Jeffrey Ferriell of Columbus, OH; R. Scott Hacker and his wife Cindy of Missoula, MT; Douglas Hacker and his wife Vickie of San Diego, CA; and Susan Freitag of Summerfield, FL. Also surviving are four grandchildren Austin, Katherine (Kally), Hunter and Carson and siblings Betty, Roland, Mary, Janice and Ernest. He was preceded in death by his brother A. Floyd Hacker.
Ray graduated from Kutztown State College in 1952 with a B.S. in Education with fields of study in History and Library Science and later earned an M.S.L.S. (Masters in Library Science) in 1956 from the University of Michigan.
Ray was employed as a university librarian at Millersville University of Pennsylvania for 37 years until his retirement as associate professor of library in 1994 . During his time at Millersville, he served as acting director of the library (1982-1985) and chairperson of the library department from 1976-1983. He made significant contributions in helping to organize Ganser Library’s collections, particularly in the reference areas, as well as served on and chaired such departmental committees as the Faculty Evaluation Committee, Promotion and Tenure Committee, various Search committees, and the Collection Development Committee. Previous to Millersville, he served as a librarian at Rider College (NJ), Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkart IN) and West Chester University (PA).
He was a member of the former Bethel Mennonite Church (Lancaster) where he served as a deacon for approximately 25 years. He and Agnes then worshiped at Akron Mennonite Church. During his time at Bethel, his interests in historical research led him to write the official record of the church, the History of Bethel Mennonite Church, 1947-1972. Also, he was a frequent leader of his church’s adult Sunday School classes, especially lessons related to biblical history. He also served the church as a delegate at several General Conference Mennonite Church meetings in the U.S. and Canada. and attended at least seven Mennonite World Conference gatherings around the world He also led area tours when the World Conference was held in Harrisburg, PA in 2015.
Ray had a deep passion for Mennonite and Southeastern Pennsylvania history. He was a founding member and first president of Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania. With MHEP, he organized 37 historic tours within several states and Canada. He also served for more than 35 years on the Board of the Historic Mennonite Germantown Trust.
Ray and his family were longtime residents of nearby East Petersburg Borough before relocating to Landis Homes in 2016. He valued his community and public school system and contributed by serving on the Hempfield School Board in the late 1990s and early 2000s and serving as the Judge of Elections in the borough in 2010.
Ray loved to organize the annual family vacations, which always included an historic component. He also enjoyed summer weeks at the family cottage on Martha’s Vineyard. During his retirement, he took great joy in reading, writing journals, doting on his grandchildren, and sharing his life with this wife and family. He will be missed.
A virtual Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 7, 2021, originating from Akron Mennonite Church. Those wishing to join in may join the Zoom Meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88503157533?pwd=MDc1a25EODUrNU94cUNCYWhlaW96dz09
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Condolences to the Family
February 13, 2021
Gods Grace to you and your family Barb and Bob Ruof
February 07, 2021
Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Hacker Family and friends of the family who knew Ray well. Please know that you have been in our prayers since we received news of Ray’s passing and we are available to you for any support that we may provide.
All our sympathy,
Michael and BJ Van Horn
February 07, 2021
Dear Agnes and family,
I am saddened by the passing of Ray. I have so many wonderful memories of him from when we worked together at the library at Millersville University. I also enjoyed visiting Bethel Mennonite Church in 1993. I learned a lot there, enjoyed the music and the time that there was a visiting musician (a woman whose name I now forget)–I remember your excitement, Agnes, at having her there that Sunday morning. The retreat at Camp Hebron was another highlight, and I remember Ray making sure that everything was all right with the room in which I was staying. I enjoyed the activities there–the music, the food, and sharing a poem I wrote! I remember on numerous occasions during the summer months finding Ray on the bench behind the library eating his lunch. We had interesting conversations such as about the summer camps going on at MU. It was good seeing you through the Zoom memorial service. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Sincerely and love,
Sally Levit
February 06, 2021
Like a number of other librarians in Ganser Library, Ray was of inestimable value to my students and to me when doing reseasrch there. He knew what was in the library and was pleased to help us get to know it as well, to the benefit of our research processes and our learning. Thanks be to God for librarians like Ray.
Dr. Karl E. Moyer
February 06, 2021
Thoughts and prayers for your family on your loss.
Kirk & Stephanie Driver
February 06, 2021
Rest in peace Uncle Ray. Loved listening to his stories of family history. Condolences to Agnes and my cousins. God bless each one of you with comfort and joyful memories.
David Rosenfeld
February 06, 2021
Agnes my condolences to you and your family. I can share with you the sadness upon losing your beloved spouse.
Dr. Lew Jury
February 06, 2021
I am saddened by the death of my dear friend and fellow Hempfield Board member Ray Hacker. What a great man and friend who was an outstanding person and family man. What a loss to our community it will be. Agnes I am sorry I have talked to Ray for many years, but I always thought about him and the time we served on the Hempfield School Board
Jeffrey Butch
- Services
- Sunday, February 07, 2021
- 3:00 PM
- Akron Mennonite Church
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