Raymond Joseph Fehrenbach

Raymond Joseph Fehrenbach of Aiken, SC, age 92, passed away November 18, 2025.

Ray was born March 7, 1933, in Newark, NJ, a son of the late Carl and Marie (Stark) Fehrenbach.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Janice Medlin Fehrenbach, his sisters Jeanne Fehrenbach and Mary Ann Holeves, and brothers Carl, Hugh, Gerald, and Paul Fehrenbach. Ray is survived by his three children, Raymond Fehrenbach, Jr. (Adrienne) of Gainesville, GA, Janet Robinson (Rick) of North Augusta, SC, and Ann Marie Badke (Mike) of Augusta GA, their mother, Martha Overman Temples, ten grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Ray is survived also by three brothers, Peter, Joseph, and John Fehrenbach, and three sisters, Callista Garrabrant, Joan Blanchard, and Claire O’Neill.

Ray graduated from St. Benedict's Prep of Newark, NJ. Ray was one of eight Fehrenbach brothers who graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep. Ray then received a BS, Chemical Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering (now New Jersey Institute of Technology).

Ray had a strong work ethic, a deep respect for the Catholic faith, and took great pride in his work, having vast experience as a design, manufacturing and facility engineer. He held positions as plant manager as well as executive management positions in engineering and production. His industry experience included nuclear, chemical, metalworking and HVAC.

Ray moved to Augusta, GA in 1955 following college graduation, accepting a position with DuPont at the Savannah River Site as a Chemical Engineer.

He returned to Newark, NJ in 1959 to work with his brother Carl in the industrial air conditioning and refrigeration business at Thermo Equipment Corporation. He moved to York, PA in 1963 to start up a second refrigeration business, Therm-Air Manufacturing, with his brothers Carl and Paul. In 1968, after the sale of Therm-Air Manufacturing, Ray moved to Omaha, NE working as Plant Manager for Lozier Corporation, which designed and manufactured retail commercial refrigeration units.

Returning to Augusta, GA in the early 1970s Ray purchased Mid States Screw and Bolt Company, a wholesale screw, bolt, and fastener warehouse and distributorship. Following the sale of Mid States, Ray spent the next forty years of his career as an entrepreneur in the executive search and talent acquisition sector. Ray started Southern Recruiters and Consultants in 1980 and led that organization until his retirement in 2017 at the age of 84. He held a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) certificate and held leadership roles in state and national professional organizations. Ray served as President of the South Carolina Association of Personnel Services (SCAPS), Director of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS), and a Congress Representative for the Southeastern States in Inter-City Personnel Associates (IPA).

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ray enjoyed gardening and touring botanical gardens.

A donation in memory of Ray may be made to St. Benedict's Preparatory School, Newark, NJ -- https://www.sbp.org/giving

A private memorial service will be held at a later date to honor Ray’s life and legacy.