Ray V. Mihailovich was born on March 17, 1923 in Vladicin Han, Serbia, to parents, Vujica and Stojna (nee Popovich) Mihailovich. He graduated from high school in Vranje, Serbia in 1941 at the start of World War II. After his country, the former Yugoslavia, was invaded and overrun by the German Army, he enlisted and fought with the former Royal Yugoslav Army, known as Chetniks, in guerilla actions against both the occupying German forces and the local Yugoslav Communist Party forces backed by Russia. As the war ended, the Communists took control of the country with the help of the advancing Russian Army and the Chetniks were forced to retreat into Italy, which by then was defeated and occupied by the Allies. So, without a country the former Chetnik forces became displaced persons or DPs. The DPs were initially placed and housed in camps near Eboli, Italy by the Allies. Later, they were moved to camps in occupied Germany along with other DPs and war refugees from other countries which had fallen behind what became known as the Iron Curtain. While in Germany, Ray found work as a camp director for the YMCA, met his future wife and started a family.
With the help of a grand uncle living in the USA, who sponsored him, Ray, his wife and his young son were able to immigrate to America in 1950. After working odd jobs to establish himself in McKeesport, Pa., Ray obtained a scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
Ray obtained his first job, after graduation, with B.F. Goodrich Research Center, located in Brecksville, Ohio. He worked for 4 years in the polymer research division doing pilot plant studies for new polymer applications. He later obtained work with Borden Chemical Co., Central Research Labs located in Philadelphia, Pa. There, he worked for 14 years as a pilot plant project leader, developing processes for the manufacture of polymers such as PVC and latex emulsions used in paints and other applications. His last job which lasted 22 years was with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III located in Philadelphia. Working in the Permitting and Enforcement Division, Ray evaluated the application data submitted by various new and existing chemical manufacturing companies operating in the Mid-Atlantic states. This permitting set limits on the amount of chemical pollutants which each plant could discharge into rivers or streams in accordance with the then current environmental best practices and law. Violators would be prosecuted in court and Ray would supply the Legal Branch of the EPA with his technical expertise and support. Ray retired from the EPA in 1995 at the age of 72.
Ray was multi-lingual in that he spoke Serbian, French, Italian, German, and Russian as well as English. Using his linguistic talents, Ray worked in some of his spare time as an abstractor for Chemical Abstract Services of the American Chemical Society (ACS). He translated foreign language chemical technical articles into English so that they could be published in the ACS technical journals and magazines. For his long membership in the ACS, which he joined after graduating from Pittsburgh University, Ray was award emeritus status in the ACS organization. Coming from a mostly agricultural country, Ray was an avid gardener who planted and raised a number of fruit trees, plants and shrubs, as well as maintaining a rather extensive vegetable garden. He also loved to read, especially anything having to do with European history and politics.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Irmgard (nee Stack), his two older sisters Nada Mihailovich and Vuka Misic, and his younger brother Bana Mihailovich.
Ray is survived by his son William, his two daughters Vera Solimine and Tamara A. Fair. He is also survived by grandsons Joshua and Christopher Solimine and granddaughter Jessica Mullin.
A private viewing/visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2021, at WM. ROWAN GRANT FUNERAL HOME, 659 Street Road, Southampton, Pa. 18966. This will be followed by a funeral service and interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem.
Due to CoVid-19 restrictions the funeral services and interment will be limited to immediate family and spouses only.
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