Raymond Rudolph Bos

Decorated war veteran, cattle rancher, AIDS activist, fisherman, youth corrections counselor, life partner, uncle, good friend; there are so many ways to describe him. Raymond Rudolph Bos, 92, of Salem, Oregon died after a brief illness at Salem Hospital on January 28, 2024.

Ray was born in Los Angeles in 1931 and was adopted by Hanna and John Bos, who lovingly raised him. Ray spent a happy childhood in the Glendale neighborhood of Los Angeles, going to the movies, and to church with his parents. As a teenager, he lived with his mother in the San Bernardino mountains, where he was an avid ice skater and completed high school. He attended Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland, Washington, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1960.

After a brief stint as a fisherman on an Alaska Salmon boat, he joined the Marine Corps in 1951. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in May of 1954, receiving the Good Conduct and National Defense medals. His service left a deep impression on him, and led to a life of service and helping others.

As a young man, Ray traveled to Europe and visited his parents’ relatives in Germany and Holland. He enjoyed speaking German with his cousins, and attending classical music concerts in his mother’s hometown. A high point of his travels was to hear Maria Callas sing at La Scala in Milan. A lifelong fan of the Diva, Ray would listen to her arias in his hospital bed during his last days, his face lighting up in a big smile as his hands waved along with the music.

Ray met his first partner, Evan deRay Tanner in the 1960s and they led a long happy life, moving from California to Oregon in 1970. They bought a ranch and raised cattle for several years. They moved to Salem where both held jobs until Evan deRay’s passing in 2002. The two had a large motor home that they used to travel the length and breadth of the USA and Canada. He would reminisce about getting the trailer stuck in New York City’s Lincoln Tunnel, or getting drunk on “Hurricanes” in New Orleans and being late to get back to the job as a result!

Their nephew, Jeff Naftel, spent many happy years being raised and mentored by them in California and Oregon. Jeff has fond memories of beach days with his uncles, and helping them on the ranch. Jeff was by “Uncle Rays” side during his final illness, and provided deep emotional support in this time of need.

He was a great lover of animals, whether large farm animals like cows, horses, and bulls, or household pet dogs and cats. In his later years he would binge watch Dr. Pol, the TV veterinarian, or nature shows about wildlife.

In addition to his military and farming careers, Ray spent many years working in the Corrections system, helping young people recover from problems with the law. During the AIDS epidemic he spent years volunteering with AIDS Prevention organizations, and caring for AIDS patients who had been abandoned by their families.

Ray, and his long life of caring and giving, will always live in the hearts of those who knew him. He will be missed, but we are all richer for receiving the warmth of his love and friendship.

Ray was preceded in death by mother, Hanna Bos, father John Bos, and first partner Evan deRay Tanner, and is survived by partner, Amer Mufti, and nephew Jeff Naftel.

Ray’s ashes will be scattered at Sea where he will join his first partner and be one with his beloved Pacific Ocean.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to animal rescue organizations like The Humane Society or PETA, in honor of his great love of animals.