Robert P. Raker, M.D.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Robert P. Raker, M.D., of Granville, will be held at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway, Granville with Rev. Casey Wilson and Rev. Bob Long as celebrants. Military Honors will follow at the church rendered by the Licking County Veterans Alliance. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church.

Dr. Raker passed away July 29, 2022 at the age of 88. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Robert S. and Mary Raker.

A Korean War veteran, Robert served in the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Base. He graduated from The Ohio State University School Medicine in 1963, interned at Grant Hospital in Columbus, and then began private family practice in Granville in 1964. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Regional Medical Director for State Farm Insurance, and upon his retirement was the longest tenured public servant in Licking County, having served 33 years as Coroner. Under his leadership, the Licking County Coroner’s Office was expanded and the morgue facility was established at Cherry Valley Road. He was president of the Ohio State Coroner’s Association and would later be awarded a Licking County Pride Award for his professional service and dedication.

Music was a passion for Dr. Raker.   He was an accomplished bassoonist, worked as an Adjunct Professor of Music at Denison University and he established the Land of Legend Philharmonic Orchestra which would later become The Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. He also was a member of Rotary and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Robert’s dedication to the orchestra earned him the Service Above Self Award. He also was awarded the Sam Gerber Award as an outstanding Coroner by the Ohio State Coroner’s Association.

In addition to his medical practice and music, Dr. Raker enjoyed boating, fly fishing, sports cars, garden railroading and fine scotch and cigars. He will be remembered for his dedication to family, honesty, integrity and principled character, and his kind and caring nature sprinkled with a touch of orneriness.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Kathryn A. Raker; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert P. and Beverly Raker, Jr. and Keith and Laurel Raker; grandchildren, Oliver, Zachary, Kelissah, Leemah, Chase, Remi, and Abri; and sister, Rebecca Turner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Centenary U.M. Church for the special music fund or to Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 566, Granville, OH 43023.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.