Ray Naar

Ray Naar Ph.D., Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, ABPP (1927-2023) Ray Naar was born in 1927 in the city of Salonika in Greece, to Lily and Isaac Naar. He had a younger brother, Jacque Naar. During World War II Ray and his family were taken by the Nazis to Bergen Belsen concentration camp. His immediate family all survived and immigrated to America after the war. Ray then enlisted in the U.S. Army and returned to Europe, where he served as a translator in the Judge Advocate's office, helping negotiate for the return of American solders detained for accusations of breaking local laws while stationed abroad. While in France, he met the love of his life Claudine, and they married a year later. He rose to the rank of captain and later served in the US Army Reserves. On returning to the U.S. Ray completed his bachelor's degree at William and Mary College in Richmond Virginia and then his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. During his career he taught undergraduate and graduate students at Carlow University, Chatham University, and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as medical students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He served as a mentor to many clinical students, and he continued to be a mentor and source of inspiration for many psychologists throughout their careers. He was a frequent presenter for the Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association (GPPA) and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) as well as having served as Board President for GPPA and on ethics committees for both organizations. He became the co-director of outpatient psychiatric services at Saint Francis Medical Center and was one of the first licensed psychologists in private practice in Pittsburgh. He gave his time when asked to talk about his war experiences at local schools. Ray was also a gifted writer, contributing several articles and editorial pieces to professional journals, as well as publishing three books. Ray is survived by his wife Claudine, his son Walter, daughter-in-law Suzan, granddaughter Shelby and her husband Russell, grandson Robert, and great granddaughter Isabella. May his memory be a blessing. If you wish, please make donations to the Pittsburgh Hospice Care. Professional services trusted to D'ALESSANDRO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY LTD., Lawrenceville. www.dalessandroltd.com.

Ray Naar

October 15, 1927 - February 2, 2023