LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to Raymond P. Urtz posthumously
upon the occasion of having a building named in his honor to be cele-
brated at a Dedication on October 29, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exemplary individuals within the Empire State who made
strong contributions to their communities and who inspired others
through their model citizenship and noble deeds; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to pay tribute to
Raymond P. Urtz posthumously upon the occasion of having a building
named in his honor to be celebrated at a Dedication on Tuesday, October
29, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Raymond P. Urtz is being saluted for his many accomplishments
including a long career with the Rome Air Force research lab, and his
key role in the lab remaining in Rome, New York, despite a 1995 Air
Force attempt to close it; and
WHEREAS, Raymond P. Urtz, retired Director, Information Directorate,
Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, died on October 8, 2012,
at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, He was a gifted visionary who guided the Information Direc-
torate during turbulent times through two BRACs and the transition of
Rome Laboratory to Air Force Research Laboratory; the strength and stat-
ure of the Information Directorate today is due in large part to his
vision to consolidate people and facilities into a new complex and to
provide added focus on the lab's research in cyber technology; and
WHEREAS, Raymond P. Urtz had both a strong commitment to serve his
nation and a genuine love for his community; he was truly a great leader
and an exceptional mentor to the people who worked for him; his contrib-
utions to the lab, to the Air Force and to the advancement of knowledge
are great; he has truly left his mark on the institution; and
WHEREAS, Born on July 11, 1939, in Utica, New York, the son of the
late Raymond and Margaret Myrtle Kelly Urtz, Raymond P. Urtz graduated
from LaSalle Academy in New York City, received a Bachelor's degree in
Physics from Manhattan College in 1961, a Master's degree in Systems
Management from the University of Southern California in 1974, and grad-
uated in 1986 from the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville,
Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Raymond P. Urtz was united in marriage to the former Maureen
Murphy on August 26, 1961, in St. Mary's Church, Flushing, New York; and
WHEREAS, A member of St. Paul's Church, Raymond P. Urtz had a 44 year
career at Griffiss Air Force Base, starting as a physicist in 1961 at
RADC and retiring as Director of Rome Lab in 2005; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man was the recipient of many awards and
accolades, including the Harold Brown Award for excellence in research
and development in 1982, Harry Davis Award for research and development
accomplishments in 1983, and the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in
both 1993 and 2000; and
WHEREAS, Raymond P. Urtz served as the Board Chair for Griffiss Local
Development Corporation, the Griffiss Institute and the Central New York
Defense Alliance; in 2005, he received a Leading EDGE Award and an
Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award from the Air Force for more
than four decades of distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, He was an avid reader and would often be seen walking at a
fast pace along the streets and sidewalks of Rome, New York; and
WHEREAS, His personal life revolved around his family; Raymond P. Urtz
had a tremendous love for his wife, the late Maureen, as well as his
children and grandchildren; he is survived by two daughters and their

spouses, Bernadette Jean Urtz and Marcus Rebick, and Eileen Mary Urtz
and Christopher Schoberl; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Margaret
Mutz, and Mary and James Curran; and four grandchildren, Adam Rebick,
and Molly, Zachary and Ethan Schoberl; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Raymond P. Urtz displayed throughout
his life; and
WHEREAS, Raymond P. Urtz's life was a portrait of service, a legacy
which will long endure the passage of time, and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to reflect upon
those outstanding individuals who have made everlasting contributions on
behalf of their fellow man and have truly left their mark on this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to Raymond P. Urtz posthumously upon the occasion of having a
building named in his honor, to be celebrated at a Dedication on October
29, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Raymond P. Urtz.