Raymond Hintz

Raymond Hintz, 76, Bismarck, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Sanford Health in Bismarck. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 29 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hannover with Pastor Lester Wolfgram officiating. Burial will take place next spring at Hannover Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the services at the church.

Raymond William Herman (Ray) Hintz, Bismarck, was called home after 76 years, to be with His Creator and Savior, November 24, 2024. Ray was born to William (Bill) and Dorothy (Henke) April 24, 1948, and on May 23, 1948, at baptism, in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hannover, ND, he was labeled a child of God. Ray was the second of four children raised on a farm northwest of Hannover.

On May 15, 1977, Ray and Carol Jenness were married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hannover, during a regular Sunday morning worship service. Ray and Carol were partners through all of life’s adventures. 

Farming was the first challenge and Ray built one of the top dairy herds in North Dakota. After some years, Ray felt God’s calling to a different vocation. He and Carol set off for Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska, with the intent of pursuing the ministry but instead became an educator with strengths in math and computer technology. He taught at Seattle Lutheran High School, WA, and Watford City High School, ND. Ray became known for his creative, kind, respectful, compassionate way of teaching. He took several summers to pursue his Masters of Mathematics degree at University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.

By now Carol’s MS was beginning to seriously impact their lives, so a move closer to health care providers was necessary. They settled in Bismarck where Ray worked with curriculum planning in the North Dakota State Department of Education and took a deep interest in distant technology education. His next move was to the Career Academy of Bismarck where Ray taught an online computer class. He drove many miles around the state checking on the progress of his students. Retirement at this point ended his teaching, but he joined the staff at Shiloh Christian schools and became their IT expert. During this time, he received his cancer diagnosis. He continued his work at Shiloh through May of this year despite the cruelties of medication and continued progress of the cancer.

Ray ran track his senior year at Center High School. He knew nothing about training but his talent set a new state record in the mile. He didn’t run after that until one day, in Laramie, he noticed he “couldn’t see his shoes.” This observation began his running career. Ray ran marathons in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts. Through running, Ray made numerous friendships; a strong friendship developed with Dave Nash. Together they logged more than 5000 miles. They ran a number of marathons including 2.5 Boston Marathons. The last Boston Marathon they ran together was in 2013, the year of the bombing. By the grace of God, Ray dropped out of that race at mile marker 14. Had he continued the pace he was running, he would have crossed the finish line about the time the bomb went off. 

Sometimes Ray took a break from running and went bicycling. He often did charity rides in Wyoming and Montana with Janet and, in doing so, raised money for the MS Association.

Ray enjoyed woodworking and gifted his sisters with some of his creations, but his masterpiece was the house he built for Carol where everything is wheelchair accessible and the kitchen cabinetry was designed and built by him.

Long before retirement, Ray met with Doug Hintz, Dave Nash, and Brad Christensen for coffee weekly to solve the world’s problems. These friendships were a great source of support in Ray’s final year.

As a child of God, he confessed and lived his faith. He drew comfort from three books that were always within a hand’s reach: his Bible, Book of Daily Prayers, and Book of Psalms. Through all the ups and downs of life, through the progress of Carol’s MS, and recently through Ray’s cancer, Ray never wandered from his faith. No matter the problem, he told us “God is in control.” He looked forward to seeing his Lord and Savior face-to-face. We are grateful for the impact Ray had on all of us and look forward to a reunion soon in heaven.

Ray leaves his wife Carol; step-daughter, Lorie Dvoracek (Chad); three sisters, Roselyn Newton (Ron); Renee Patzer (Mike); Janet Reynolds (Rick); three nieces: Nolana Hatcher, Morena Griggs, Kenya Patzer.

It is suggested that donations be made to the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.