DR. RAYMOND VINCENT HUSSEY

1934-05-05 to 2016-04-18

Dr. Ray Hussey 1934-2016

Dr. Ray Hussey joined RMRU in 1984 and already had a great deal of experience in Backpacking, Camping, and a general outdoor knowledge. He was a useful field member right away and did not need much training. Ray was in good physical shape and could hike with a full pack all day. Over the years Ray went on over 100 missions and over 100 trainings and everyone remembers how he always had a smile on his face and a joke ready for every situation. His ability to keep things light and easy going in hard times was a great help to keeping everyone in a good mood when things got hard. He was serious when needed and had level head for seeing what needed to be done and then making sure it did get done correctly.

Ray has been on many missions involving getting in and out of helicopters in hazardous conditions. He has gotten out on top of Mount San Jacinto in the winter when the peak was covered in over 10 feet of hard packed snow. It is very icy and you exit the helicopter with ice axe ready in case you started to slide. He has been let off on top of cliffs with over a hundred foot drop on one side. He has been on many technical rock missions and been lowered or repelled over the side to give medical aid to injured persons, sometimes in the middle of the night with the only light being headlamps. He does all of this with expert skill that he has passed on to newer team members over the years.

One such rescue was on July 13, 1985 when a young male hiker took a fall and fractured an ankle and suffered head injuries at the base of Tahquitz Rock. Due to loss of fluids from injuries, Dr. Hussey hooked up an IV solution of Ringers lactate to help get fluids back into his system. He was carried down to Humber Park and transported to Idyllwild Ball Field, where a helicopter took him to Loma Linda Medical Center.

1986 Ray leaving Helicopter Summit of San Jacinto (10,835 feet)

On March 11, 1986 on a search for a hiker missing on Mt. San Jacinto with over 12 feet of snow on the summit. Ray was flown to the summit in powerful wind gusts 30 to 40 mph where only one person at a time could safely be in the helicopter. He and another team member then found tracks leading down from the summit. These tracks eventually lead to the rescue of the missing hiker.

Another mission was on Tahquitz Rock, but this time in the dark on Jan 1, 1987. Ray was flown into Lunch Rock at the base of Tahquitz around 7pm, where the pilot placed one skid down on the 100 foot tall boulder and Ray stepped out into the dark. He then hiked around the base of the rock to the route the injured climber was on and then ascended up 130 feet to ascertain the injuries. It was determined he had some sort of fracture to the hip and his ribs. After a litter was brought up, Ray became the attendant and was lowered down with the subject in the litter. He then helped taking the litter down the long and steep slope out to Humber Park. He was put into an ambulance and taken to the hospital.

2006 Ray Teaching Technical Rigging

In the past 30 years has served on the Board of Directors for 15 years as (Board Member, Secretary, Vice President, and President). He has also served for 5 years on the Rescue Committee and gone to National Conferences on Technical Standards were he has brought back many new and good ideas for Technical Rescue. He has been on the Medical Committee for almost all 30 years and brought many new Medical ideas to RMRU for use in the field.

2005 Always Smiling Ray Eating Lunch in the Snow

Some members have come on the team for several years or more and then leave and hardly anyone remembers them or what they did. Ray with his long term of service, high skill levels, and ability to pass on what he knows makes him a member of RMRU who will not be forgotton for many years in the future. Ray no longer went in the field on missions but still attended meetings and keeps RMRU updated on new medical ideas. Ray is a perfect example of what we look for and want in a member for RMRU.

This is an interview with Ray 2 years ago:

Name: Ray Hussey
Age: 80
Job: Invasive Radiologist & Radiotherapist
I grew up.....in Newport, R.I.
I live in.....Riverside, California.
When I was a kid…...I enjoyed body surfing, boating outings commercial fishing with my uncle.
My family is…...located in Middletown, Rl., Mt Pleasant, SC & Riverside, California.
If I could have any job, I would…...do the same thing all over again.
My hobbies are…..woodworking, playing handball, the tenor banjo & the ukulele.
You can strive to…..and accomplish anything you want to, with the proper motivation.
My favorite type of music is…..classical... especially Mozart & Dixieland Jazz.
I never saw…..combat but was with the USAF in SAC for 8 1/2 yrs.
I have been on RMRU for…..30 years.
What I've learned…..mostly has been technical rescue.
RMRU motivates me because…..I like helping people, mountaineering & the great outdoors.
People wonder…..why I do what I do, I always say because I like to.
My most memorable moment with the team is…..the fall Kevin Walker & I took at the old Riverside quarry.
I offer this advice to wilderness travelers…...always carry the ten essentials and read and understand the best book- MOUNTAINEERING-The Freedom of the Hills.

Photos of Ray with RMRU

1987 on a Winter Mission

1988 at night on a Mission

2004 Checking Rigging on a Training

2004 Helitac Training

We will never forget your smile, goodbye from RMRU.

Gone but not forgotten.