[Jeff Higgins]

Found dead in his big old easy chair out in his shop, with his dog at his feet. Probably passed on Saturday, police found him this morning on a wellness check. Only 69 years young, an avid runner up until some heart problems began to limit that just a couple of years ago. Once the heart problems started and he could no longer run, it was pretty fast downhill from there, with him being largely unable to walk for most of this year. It looks like he went peacefully, right where he wanted to be, with who he wanted to be with. RIP, Ray...

I first met Ray back in about 1973 when I became fast friends with his little brother John. Ray had served in Vietnam as a medic, but was by then beginning his career as a Harley mechanic. Ray eventually opened his own shop, and his reputation began to grow. In his day, he was one of the most noted builders of hot-rod Panhead, Shovelhead, and Ironhead Harleys. His bikes actually won our local Seattle Custom Auto Hot Boat and Speed Show four or five years running, in the motorcycle category. His drag bikes always did quite well up and down the West Coast, winning many championships.

Ray was quite the innovator. He was twin plugging Harley Shovelheads by the late '70's, and had managed to shoehorn in small block Chevy 2.02" dia intake valves, and some Ford exhaust valve that was available sodium filled (no one had thought of that for Harleys just yet). He made his own belt drive primary, using a blower belt from a top fuel car, long before they were commercially available. Lots and lots of cool stuff, well ahead of the times.

But most of all, Ray was a friend. Older brother to one of my best, lifelong friends, Ray taught us both to ride and work on the old Harleys. He turned many a wrench on that old Sporty I still ride today, patiently working his way through something I had probably previously screwed up. I think if it's nice out tomorrow, I just might have to fire her up and go on a ride, just to remember Ray.