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Raymond Zwartjes '77 August 27, 2014 9:48 AM

Published in (San Antonio) Express-News on Aug. 27, 2014

Raymond Zwartjes
November 21, 1953 - August 14, 2014
Dr. Raymond E. Zwartjes, Ph.D. died August 14, 2014 in San Antonio at age 60 after a long struggle with cancer. He was born Nov. 21, 1953 at Moody AFB, Valdosta, Georgia. He played football at Winston Churchill High School, San Antonio, where he graduated in 1971. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. degree in Psychology in 1977.

He then moved to Houston, where he made his home and worked as a Registered EEG Technologist in the Epilepsy Research Center of Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. He earned a M.S. in Biology from the University of Houston in 1989. From 1994 t0 1996 he was a Research Associate in the Division of Neuroscience, University of Manchester, UK, studying brain neurotransmitters and how they were affected by anti-seizure drugs. He received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Houston in 1996. He was a member of the Society of Neurosciences. As a bio-chemical neurophysiologist he was also involved in studies regarding circadian rhythm regulation.

Ray was an avid sports lover, especially of rugby and soccer. He played on the Texas A&M rugby team and for many years, played and coached for the Houston Old Boys Rugby Team with whom he toured the British Isles in 1988. He also threw darts for decades, was U.of H. champion in 1986 and met many of his closest friends through matches. He was competitive but good natured with a truly kind heart and sharp wit. Although he was a private person, once connection was made, his warmth, compassion and thoughtfulness shone through. Even while pursuing his studies and research, he found time for his friends who sought him out for knowledgeable conversations. Extremely well read and intellectually curious, his interests ranged from ornithology and other natural sciences to jazz, cooking, art and politics.

Ray had great affection for his family and enjoyed trips with them to visit relatives in the Netherlands. He is survived by his parents, William and Fairlie Zwartjes of San Antonio, brothers and sisters-in-law William Jr. and Georgia Zwartjes, and Michael and Jeanette Zwartjes of San Antonio, Kenneth and Mary Ann Zwartjes of Dallas, and Patrick and Michele Zwartjes of Portland, Oregon. He is also loved and remembered by ten nieces and nephews and their spouses, seven great nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1602 Thousand Oaks Dr., San Antonio, TX on Saturday August 30th at 1 PM followed by a reception at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations In Memory of Raymond Zwartjes may be sent to Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Office of Development, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr. Mail Code # 7835, San Antonio, TX 78229


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