December 22, 2018

I remember Raym as a delightful person – mind racing, multi-level sense of humor, fun, nice, intellectually curious about so many things.  He was a fill-in teacher at Elizabethtown Area High School in 1962 (or late ’61).  It was a year our class (’62) ran through/wore out SO many English teachers!  Raym’s offense was reading us “My Brother Was an Only Child” (reading us MY copy, by the way -) which confused the living whatever out of the administration, of course!  He was fired, but I stayed in touch with him, happily.  Using one of my tickets, Raym attended our graduation and graduation party – it was a fun night.  I have the poem he wrote me in October 1962; we corresponded a bit when I was in college. I hope Raym had a good life. hope he enjoyed most of it – a great guy I wish I’d known better.

November 26, 2017

Apologies for my not learning about this a year late.  Raym, who was a year or two older than me, was a very good friend during my last couple of years in high school and during my college years (although I only saw him on vacations, since I went to college in New Jersey).  We enjoyed classical music together, singing barbershop quartet music, and, probably most important for my own future, the Lancaster Astronomy Club, which I may not have ever known about except for Raym’s introducing it to me.  I eventually becams a physicist, and a portion of my work has been in astrophysics, undoubtedly traceable directly to Raym’s influence.  My condolences, late as this note is, to all the family, and especially to Walter (known as “Ack” to Raym, for some reason), who was a classmate of mine at McCaskey — why I became a friend of his brother, instead of him, I have no idea.  I have very fond memories of Raym, and I feel privileged to have known him.
Les Blatt, Worcester, Massachusetts (lblatt@charter.net)

July 17, 2017

Forgive the lateness of this sincere condolence. I thought of reaching out to Mr. Somerfield & only now discovered he has gone home to the Lord. He was my 7th grade English teacher and, although he may have seen my love for books & literature in the classroom, he also saw a rather messed up & rowdy teenager. I wanted to reach out to tell him that I will be a published poet later this year….having had my book recently accepted by Christian Faith Publishers. {And, you can guess I’m sure, that I’ve turned my life around by turning it over to God.} If it means anything at this late date, I hope the knowledge that he so positively affected this confused, angry teenager…turning her into a writer of both poetry and devotions….blesses the family in even a small way. Thank you. Blessings. 

November 28, 2016

Mr. Somerfield was my 7th grade English teacher (7-1) 1971-1972. He was my favorite of teachers, and I had many good teachers. He imbued humor into our lessons so that we, at least I, loved learning about the English language; he expanded my love of reading. He showed his students respect, addressing us by our last names prefixed with “Mr” or “Miss.” I had never had a teacher who had done that before. I don’t remember all of my teachers, but I remember him! I’m very grateful that I was lucky enough to have been one of his students. Thank you Mr. Somerfield!
Dawn Dickson

November 28, 2016

I had Mr. Somerfield for both 7th and 8th grade English.  He was a wonderful teacher and I often tell stories to my children and grandchildren about his fascinating classes.  We looked forward to Mr. Somerfield’s class as much as Study Halls and Gym!  He kept things lively and was always teaching us new things.  He presented the classics in such a way that you wanted to read more.  I will never forget when he read Old English Poetry to us with an Old English accent.  He told us stories about his time in the Army and treated us like we were his equals.  The world is a sadder place with out Mr. Somerfield.  I am only sorry I did not make more of an effort to contact him before his death.
Kathy Phillips Weinhold 

November 27, 2016

Ray was my seventh grade English teacher almost fifty years ago at Garden Spot Junior High School, and I still remember him fondly. He referred to all of us as “Miss” or “Mr.” – or in my case, sometimes “Herr Gut.” I remember him telling us about riding his bicycle across the country and about recording his dreams and having them analyzed. We read “Flowers for Algernon” in class and I believe Mr. Sommerfield cried when we got to the part about Algernon and Charlie regressing. I also remember that he wrote a book of poetry. He allowed me and another student to write research papers in lieu of some of the normal class work, then read them to the class and compared and contrasted our writing styles. I still remember the gist of his comments after all of these years, and the much-needed boost of confidence they gave me. Here is a long-overdue thanks to Mr. Sommerfield for being such an inspirational teacher.
Glenn Good, Chicago

November 27, 2016

Somerfield Family sorry to here of the passing of Raymond. Your in our thoughts and prayers.                                     Denise and Ronald DiEugenio (great nephew Mary Staffieri was my grandmother)

November 27, 2016

Aunt Leah, Sorry to here about the passing of Uncle Raymond. Now he will see his sister Mary Staffieri(my grandmother).
Farewell Uncle Raymond.
Ronald DiEugenio

November 26, 2016

Farewell Ray.  Thanks for all the great memories.

November 26, 2016

Mark, 
im so very sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. I have many fond and loving memories of him. I was just reading his poetry book not so long ago. May you find peace in your memories of Ray, as I will remember him as a kind, funny and full of life young man.  
Much love,
Carol Baker Kasprowicz