Born September 20th, 1926, to Oliver Sr. and Irene [nee, Reinschmidt] Hoffstetter, Raymond Anthony Hoffstetter was born into the world of show business as his family were the charter members of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees, I.A.T.S.E Local 6.
Ray attended Gardenville Elementary School and then went on to graduate from Cleveland High School in 1944 in South St. Louis.
After high school, Ray followed in his father footsteps and enlisted in the United States Navy as Signalman during in WWII serving on USS Mustin, and then served on the Admirals staff during the Korean War.
In 1950, he married the love of his life, Muriel Fish. The two of them spent their entire lives together serving others through their church, the Emmaus Home, and tutoring children for 20 years at Long Elementary School in Crestwood, Missouri. They were also instrumental in the restoration of the now famous Sappington House in Crestwood.
In 1948, Ray started working at KSD television in St. Louis against the advice of his father who told him television would never last, calling it , “The best advice I never took from my father.” At that time, television was in its infancy and KSD was the first NBC affiliate west of the Mississippi.
After spending the first twelve years in the studio, doing live television shows as a stagehand, Ray got the chance of a lifetime and was promoted into the News Department as the sound man on a News crew. Eventually Ray moved up and became a lead cameraman shooting many iconic pieces that included going to Desert Storm and sailing across the pacific, from Los Angeles to Hawaii for the decommissioning and mothballing of the USS Missouri. One of Ray’s proudest moments.
Everything was new in those days, and they were winging it as there was no schooling for television, but their creativity and ingenuity created a legacy that Ray continued until his very last days at KSDK in 2018 as an archiver.
Ray survived by his sister, Jeannine Navratil, his son, Steven Bliss, and his daughter Sandra Negash. Ray has 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
SERVICES: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road Affton, Missouri 63123) on Friday, October 18, 3 – 9 p.m. then taken to St. Philip’s United Church of Christ (10708 Lavinia Drive Affton, Missouri 63123) on Saturday, October 19 for visitation 1:00 p.m. until funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial services with full military honors will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Monday, October 21, 9:30 a.m.
In lieu, of flowers, donations may be made to:
St. Philip’s UCC, Continuity Fund
10708 Lavinia Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63123
Or
The Historic Sappington House Board Memorial Fund
1015 Sappington Road,
St. Louis, MO 63126
Ray, one of the great pleasures in my life was to spend some time with you and your son, Steve, going to Cardinals games, eating great meals on the Hill and just spending time soaking in your wisdom, knowledge and humor. You lived a great, noble life and you will be sorely missed by a friend who had the pleasure of first meeting you in your 80’s and was able to enjoy meaningful times for 18 years hanging out with you. Rest well in the presence of Jesus.
Thank you Omar… he loved you, my bro.
Ray was a talented and ambitious man. Married to the love of his life speaks volumes to his character.
Man the God of all comfort bring your family and friends thru this time knowing Ray is in the arms of Christ.
Thank you, Valter…
Ray was a wonderful man. He was my best friend’s dad that I knew since I was 14 years old. As we all aged, my husband and I became closer to him. My husband and Ray both served in the Navy and became friends immediately. We loved Ray. His stores, his humor, his kindness and humbleness was something very very special. He will be very much missed by all of us. Ray was truly one of a kind. Rest in peace dear friend. Joe and I love you!♥️
Thank you, Sandy… he loved you and big Joe!
Steve & Sandy, so sorry to heard about your dad. He was an amazing man. He dis so much at Open Door. Organizing work days to up the landscaping & anything else that needed to be done. I remember he taking Sandy & I to the goldenrod showboat on nights he was working. When my sisters & I called when my dad died. First thing he said “well damn” the same thing he said when my sister died a few years. So as Ray would say “well damn.”
Thank you Mara.