Raymond (Ray) Ehrle was a 23 year resident of Annapolis, Maryland, previously of Beltsville, Maryland. He grew up in rural upstate New York (Callicoon) where he attended a one room school for seven years. He graduated from High School at age 16, worked on his father’s farm for two years and then entered the Army. He was discharged as a Sargent and subsequently attended Syracuse University on the GI Bill receiving an AB in sociology in 1951. He received a ROTC Commission and upon graduation entered the USAF. Active duty and reserve time enabled him to retire as a Major. Overseas assignments included Newfoundland, Iceland and Eniwetok.

Dr. Ehrle received a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from George Washington University and a doctorate in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1961 from the University of Missouri. He then worked as Supervisor, Counseling and Evaluation, Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Center for two years. This was followed by a brief assignment as Chief, Counseling Division, U.S.E.S. at the Department of Labor. Dr. Ehrle then went to the University of Maryland to start a new Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Education program. During his five years there he sponsored 30 Master’s degree students and eight doctoral students. 

He remained active in professional organizations and was second president of the newly formed National Employment Counselors Association. He served as national president of the American Rehabilitation Counselors Association. Dr. Ehrle helped found and became editor of the Journal of Employment Counseling. He has published over 120 articles, monographs and books. He was a licensed psychologist (District of Columbia and Maryland) and book reviewer for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Ehrle then took a turn in private industry as Washington Representative for Teledyne Economic Development Co. Subsequently he returned to academia as Director of Research Support for the George Washington University Business School and retired in 1989.  

He frequently wrote his observations about life, society and the spiritual world. Other interests included genealogical research, oil painting, gardening, and finance. Ray and his wife Sally enjoyed travel to the Navajo Nation, Canada, Mexico, and Europe and on three Caribbean cruises.

Dr. Ehrle is a life member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, the Society for German American Studies (SGAS) and the Military Officers Association. He was a major contributor to the ATO Student Aid Fund, SGAS Research Fund, the University of Missouri McGowan Endowment Library Fund and the German American Museum in Washington, D.C. He was a supporter of the Cochecton Preservation Society.

Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Sally Allen Ehrle; son John; son Richard of Virginia, his wife Kate and children Christian, Elisabeth and William. His marriage to Betty Turner ended in divorce. A grave site service will be held in Cochecton New York.

Donations may be made to the Ehrle Paramedic Scholarship at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC); address: AACC Foundation, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012.