Ray V. Zobrist
September 27, 1927 - October 13, 2010
My grandfather, Ray "Wild Man" Zobrist, was one of a kind. The head of our Zobrist clan, he taught us nothing is more important than family. He was my example of how to live life, and do it well. As my uncle Mark said at the funeral, Ray Zobrist lived life large in 30 minute increments. We will miss him dearly, but nothing can be more reassuring than knowing he has been reunited with my grandmother after 12 years apart. 
It seems odd she has been gone so long, but luckily they were sealed together forever so the rest of us can be too.
I thought in order to pay proper tribute, I would share some of my favorite memories. Each and every time I saw my grandpa, he would say "You get prettier every time I see you. You look more and more like your mother every day." Even though I knew he said this to each of my female cousins (to the boys he said "You get uglier every time I see you. Get over here so I can paddle your canoe."), my grandpa made me feel pretty, even during those horrible teenage years.
Another of his favorite sayings was "It's tough to be poor and have to work for a living." Luckily, Tyson has decided to carry this one on in our family.
My grandpa loved food. Two of his favorite places, Weinerschnitzel and Wendy's. I think my love of hot dogs comes from him. When grandpa cooked chicken, he would check to see if it was done by taking a taste, meaning before it was fully cooked, he ate raw chicken. And, when you sat next to him, it was pretty certain he would be taking a bite of whatever you were eating. But, he also shared. I remember sitting next to him as a child, watching him pour his Pepsi over ice and giving me sips. Even when my mom said no.
Grandpa came with us to the Luxor Steakhouse one year for my mom's birthday, and ordered the prime rib, because he loved prime rib. The waitress brought out a bowl of horseradish and placed it in front of him, and warned him to be careful, it was especially spicy. About a minute later, grandpa looks over, sees the bowl, takes a big spoonful, and says "Is this cheese?" After eating a large spoonful, he was unfazed. This story is legendary in our family. Just ask my brother in law. He has heard us tell this story and laugh hysterically probably 100 times.
One of the things I admire the most about my grandpa was the fact that had the same best friend his entire life. Dr. Al Noorda and my grandpa have been best friends since the 2nd grade. They went to school together, they served in the army together, they went to college together, and even served missions to Holland together (I still maintain my grandpa rigged this somehow. I mean, what are the chances?). They raised their families together, retired together, and were best friends until the day my grandpa died. I think this says a lot about these two men. You don't have that kind of friendship without making an effort.But, I know nothing in this world mattered more to my grandpa than family. My grandpa loved his wife, loved his 7 children, and loved his 34 grandchildren. Everything he did was for family. I am proud to be his granddaughter, proud to be a Zobrist, and hope I can lead a life that will make him proud.
My eyes are closed. I know.
