Raymond Charles Zowarka

Dr. Raymond Charles Zowarka, Jr, 76, of Beeville, Texas, passed away on June 16, 2026 at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Raymond was born in San Antonio on March 20, 1950. He graduated from Antonian High School in San Antonio and proceeded to become, in his own words, a professional student. He received a B.S. in Engineering Science from Trinity University in 1972. He joined UT Center for Electromechanics in 1974, where he would remain for the entirety of his research science career. He got his M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980 and 2002 respectively. While working at UT-CEM, he was part of at least seven major research projects, many of which supported the U.S. military. His name is on seven patents and included on research for a multitude more. Ray was a family man, and UT-CEM was family to him.

Ray loved many things in a very big way. Even though his identity was as a genius that very easily could have been friends with the guys on The Big Bang Theory, he was just as much an outdoors person. He was a wrestling fan as a boy. He loved all sports, especially baseball and football. He played on many softball teams, the most famous being Who Cares! He enjoyed golf and the outdoors. Ray overcame physical challenges, but he never made excuses. He would climb a tree to get a better angle to shoot at his sisters with china berry tree fruit. He would crawl under a vehicle to help his dad at the service station. He carried boxes for his grandmother who became a widow at an early age. In his later years, he spent weekends in Beeville, and then finally moved to the family farm in Beeville. This professional student learned to work cattle, repair fence, throw hay bales, and drive a tractor. He loved animals, most memorably Max and Ms. Kitty. Through all of this, though, he never stopped his research and working with the research teams at UT that he loved. It was often said he was the hardest working retired person in the world. He was a brother, an uncle, a co-worker, and a friend of the highest caliber.

Ray is survived by his five sisters, Bobbie Jo Hill, Melanie Crosier, Laura Menn, Wendy Juranek, and Paula Ivy; his two brothers-in-law, Tom Crosier and Bobby Ivy; his 15 nieces and nephews; 22 cousins; 39 great nieces and nephews; and college friends who he never lost contact with. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mary Louise Zowarka.

The hole left in this world by Ray will not soon be filled. He was kind and dependable. One had to listen closely to catch his humor, and it was common to wonder if he was laughing inside at how difficult all of us tended to make life. He loved with his whole heart and never spoke ill of others. He never answered a call for assistance with a no. Everyone who grew up with him, studied with him, played with him, and worked with him knew they were lucky to have him in their lives. Some people are a gift from God that none of us deserve, but we know we must be thankful for the opportunity.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 11 am at the family cemetery on Zowarka-Menn Lane in Beeville, Texas.