Raymond E. Wehnau

Raymond M. Wehnau, 97

Defreestville Raymond M. Wehnau, 97, of Blooming Grove Drive, died Tuesday at his residence.

Born in Amsterdam, NY he was son of the late Madison and Amelia Fischer Wehnau and husband for 69 years of the late Lois Craver Wehnau. He was raised in Hagaman and he resided in the North Greenbush area since 1925. He was educated at Amsterdam High School and Hamilton College class of 1925.

Mr. Wehnau began at Sterling-Winthrop in Rensselaer as a chemist in 1926 and over 44 years held many positions, retiring in 1970 as the Manager of Chemical Manufacturing and Development. Upon his retirement, he received Winthrop's highest honor, the Winthrop Award for Distinguished Achievement. He was cited for important contributions to the development of basic Chemical Manufacturing procedures in the fields of antimalarial and analgesic drugs. He was a member of the American Chemical Society.

He was Chairman of the First Curriculum Committee of the East Greenbush Central School District and in 1957 ran for the East Greenbush School Board of Education and won. He was on the Board for several years holding the office of President for two terms.

Survivors include two sons, Robert A. Wehnau of Mill Valley, CA and Peter L. Wehnau and wife Jeanne of Defreestville; four grandchildren, Suzanne Grudem and husband Robert of Milton, MA, Nancy Wehnau D.V.M. of Federal Way, WA, Martin Wehnau and wife Elinor of West Palm Beach, FL and David Wehnau of West Palm Beach and three great-grandchildren Charles, Victoria and Anne Marie Grudem. He was predeceased by a sister Dorothy E. Dixon.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the graveside service which will be held Thursday at 11:00am at the Bloomingrove Cemetery on Blooming Grove Drive in Defreestville. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Wehnau to The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County 295 Valley View Blvd. Rensselaer, NY 12144. Arrangements by DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home Inc. West Sand Lake.

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