The family of Ray E. Hightower of Manhattan, KS announces his passing, and invites all who knew him to remember him here.
Some stories deserve to be told slowly. This is one of them.
Ray held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Faith gave Ray a place to stand, and a place to return to.
Ray E. Hightower
June 7, 1936 - May 3, 2026
Ray E. Hightower of Manhattan passed away on May 3, 2026, at Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan.
He had served on the Kansas State University College of Engineering faculty for 48 years, retiring as Assistant Dean of Engineering.
He was born in Corning, Kansas, and lived most of his youth in Bern, Kansas, where he graduated high school. He was a graduate of DeVry University and Kansas State University. He served as Scoutmaster for Troop 74 for nearly 14 years. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego, Kansas.
In June 1959, Ray married Marlene Bauman at the First Lutheran Church, Sabetha, Kansas. They made their home in Manhattan.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marlene; his children, Michelle Cromer and Ron Hightower; his grandsons, Joshua (Betsy) Cromer and Jacob Cromer; and his great grandchildren, Jack, Theodore, Elizabeth, and Thomas Cromer. Surviving also are his brother Stanley (Janice) Hightower; and his sisters Nancy Swille, and Janie Glace; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Maudie Hightower, and his brothers-in-law, Bill Glace and Phil Swille.
The funeral will be held Saturday, May 16, 10:30 a.m., at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Wamego, Kansas. The family will hold a private inurnment.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Scout Troop 74, or to the KSU Foundation/Memo line: T69250 [this is the Ray E. Hightower Honorary Scholarship for Engineering Students], and left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Livestream the funeral service:
https://youtube.com/live/lCFX-7Ud6cY?feature=share
