A fond farewell to a long-time community friend
By Meg Boberg Special to the Acorn

Ray Hebel 1915-2007

In a photo atop the piano in his son's home, Ray Hebel's smile shines even though he is gone. A Moorpark resident for more than four decades, the 92-year-old Hebel died last February.

"Just a down to earth guy," as described by his son and namesake, Raymond, Hebel was active in Moorpark until the end of his life. He led the Moorpark Home Acres 4-H club, participated in the Moorpark Beautiful Committee for 10 years and did maintenance work for the Conejo Valley School District until his retirement at age 65.

Whether growing orchids to sell at affordable prices for those attending the high school prom or traveling to his son's Elvis-impersonation performances across the western United States, Hebel always strove to brighten the lives of others.

Before he started his family, Hebel spent most of his youth in Michigan and Ohio. During the Depression, he moved to Temecula. Never having earned a high school diploma, Hebel took a job with the Civil Conservation Corp in order to pay for his brother's college education.

After meeting his wife-to-be, Elizabeth Schnittker, Hebel would say they "dated six days a week and took the seventh to rest." Their marriage spanned 63 years, until Elizabeth died in 2004.

His family's wellbeing was always Hebel's priority.

"Who had the most (material possessions) isn't who's happiest," said Raymond about his father. "Family is where you grow rich. I never heard him complain once."

When his children were in school, Hebel would return home after a day of work eager to spend time with the family, Raymond said.

"If it was still light out and we'd already eaten, he wouldn't go eat- he'd go outside to play ball with us."

Lutheran pastor and longtime family friend Ron Kragthorpe said Hebel found it hard to be inactive. Kragthorpe would find Hebel digging in his cactus garden or refinishing furniture in the garage.

"Sometimes I would pray with him," Kragthorpe said. "Most of the time we spent was a matter of having a friend to listen to him."

During retirement, Hebel grew flowers and continued caring for his family. He lived to see eight grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. He traveled to Hawaii, Canada and Alaska and visited Ohio again.

Nancy Winters, Hebel's eldest daughter and a Napa Valley resident, found a friend and confidante in her father.

"Material things weren't that important; family was much more important," Winters said.

Engaging in conversation wasn't a problem for Hebel. His youngest daughter and Raymond's twin, Sue Hebel, said her father would talk to anyone, which made others flock to him.

"He would greet his friends and family like he hadn't seen them in 20 years every time he saw them," Sue Hebel said. "He was my encourager."

In the eulogy Raymond recalled his spirit: "His zest for living, lack of pretension and genuine joy over the simple things in life will be remembered by all who knew him."

Photographs showcasing Hebel's smile adorn his son Raymond's home. And in the bustling activity of Raymond's four precocious young sons, Hebel's grandchildren, a piece of Hebel's spirit is still alive today.

Ray and Elizabeth Hebel