Rayfel Margate Bachiller

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Col Bachiller's 32 years of distinguished service to our country in the Marine Corps. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB (Denver, CO) at 720-847-6693. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.Steve Young Lt Col, USAF, RetDirector, Buckley SFB RAO

Lisa I'm so sorry to hear of Ray's passing.  He always had a kind words for you whenever you saw him.  His stories were captivating.  I will miss him.    

I met Ray because he is one of my grandpa's best friends (my grandpa is Doc Olive). I got to join in on a few of their lunches and always looked forward to seeing Ray at the annual Marine Ball. Every visit with Ray was positive and fun - he was always so supportive of me and my daughter, who he also got to know. I was so sad to learn of his passing and tearfully recalled all the meaningful times we got to visit. He was a good man. My sincere condolences to his beautiful wife and the rest of his family. May he rest in peace. Sincerely, Ariana 

My deepest condolences to Ray's entire family. It pains me to think that we have lost such a good man.  Ray was the best of the best. A solid man of service and loyalty to everyone he met. A Marine through and through. I will never forget our mutual passion to "take care of one of our own" when Ray stepped up without a second thought to help honor one of our own Marines who served us all in WW2.  At age 98, LtCol Shaffer was honorably recognized by Ray and two dozen fellow Marines at LtCol. Shaffer's home.  Oh what a day it was.  LtCol Shaffer was in his Dress Blues at age 98.  We all had a slice of Marine cake and one "1775 Ale" beer each.  Ray made LtCol Shaffer's world light up and I had the honor to meet such a Marine as Ray who loves our Marine Corps as much as I do. A mentor to many and a great man who never stopped serving others and most of all our great nation.  Semper Fidelis, Ray, please watch over all of us as we await our time to join you.    

Lisa I'm so sorry for your loss, and our family is praying for your peace and comfort. You don't know me, but my family and I knew and loved Ray through tennis. He taught tennis to all 4 of my kids either at Corner Canyon or at the park. My daughter, Mazie, was one of his teachers this past summer. I got to sit and talk to Ray and hear all his stories! He would laugh and say you said if he wrote an autobiography it would have to be fiction cause no one would believe it. He was such a good man. He was so generous with his time and resources, which means you were too. Thank you for sharing him with us and so many others. We miss him already. 

Lisa, Every success in my life can be traced back to Ray.  In fact, my wife reminded me today, that we would not be where we are today if it had not been for Ray.  He looked after me when it seemed the world had turned its back on me.  He championed me in the right circles to ensure I achieved goals that I would have never obtained without him. With love and admiration, I will always remember him.  I pray that God holds you close in these trying times.                                           Frank Baker

Dear Lisa and loved ones of Ray, when we look up the meaning of honor and integrity in the dictionary, a bio of Ray would offer a true definition. How blessed we are for the gift of him. I am humbled to be a recipient of his beautiful voice and musical, God given talent. He is such an amazing presence when he walks into a room, he walks into your heart and you are forever changed. I am grateful for you sharing the gift of him! He is truly a love. May God bless you and may His angels carry you through this very difficult time.                               ❤️ Frank and Michelle Jones 

Dear Lisa and loved ones of Ray, when we look up the meaning of honor and integrity in the dictionary, a bio of Ray would offer a true definition. How blessed we are for the gift of him. I am humbled to be a recipient of his beautiful voice and musical, God given talent. He is such an amazing presence when he walks into a room, he walks into your heart and you are forever changed. I am grateful for you sharing the gift of him! He is truly a love. May God bless you and may His angels carry you through this very difficult time.                               ❤️ Frank and Michelle Jones 

I was just thinking I needed to reach out to my friend, Ray, whom I hadn't been able to see since the start of the pandemic. I am so saddened to learn of his passing. My condolonces to this wonderful man's family. I know he is sorely missed.

In early 1979, Ray welcomed me to HQMC by initiating me into the DAMP SCAB (Department of Aviation Protection Society for Captains and Below).  (I still have the pin!)  He was one of the most professional and fun officers I had the pleasure of serving with throughout my career.  Sincere condolences to his family and all who loved this very special man. Roxanne [Rocky Waters] Cheney Colonel, USMC (Ret)

Lisa, First,my most sincere condolences on your loss. Ray was truly a great man . As I write this I find myself saddened beyond words. I was one of Ray's battalion/squadron CO.'s during his time as MACG 48 CO. Ray and I worked through the challenges of mobilizing the first Reserve unit and deploying them in support of Desert Storm. The first Reserve until mobilized since Korea. Afte our return Ray gave me a second command ...obviously I will be forever deeply indebted to Col Ray Bachiller. But at the same time I am Thankful for having had the opportunity to know Ray and honored to have served under his command .  While I morn his passing I give Thanks for a life well lived and ..as another Marine takes his post on "Heavens Scene" ... Semper Fidelis Colonel B ..And we will meet again. M.E. Nunnally  Colonel USMCR (ret)

To Lisa and family, Please accept my condolence upon learning of Ray's death. We were close friends in a couple of our assignments on active duty and worked closely on exercises in the Pacific area. Later on, Ray relieved me as Director of Special Projects for the CMC at HQMC. He was perfect for the job. Highly professional, he epitomized the polished and commanding Marine able to manage all of the duties of the Directorate, to include planning VIP events, JCS and DOD visits and attendance at countless parades and ceremonies at 8th and I. Although it's been several years since we last met, it was a tough day hearing the news of his passing. I know Ray will be missed by many and as others have said so eloquently, by the grace of God, we will meet again.

Lisa & family (and every Marine whoever knew Ray): Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.  I first ran across Ray when I was a lowly company grade officer in Third Herd (3rd LAAM Battalion, MCAS Cherpt), where he was my XO and, more importantly, a GREAT mentor!  What character he possessed, and what a character he was!  We were tennis buddies, playing at the Spooner's Creek Clay Court Tennis Club in Morehead City, NC (where I still have a house to this day, tho the club is long gone).  I would outrun him on the court, but he would outplay me, at a time I considered myself a gifted player.  But, it was the off-court lessons I learned from Ray that last with me to this day.  I am deeply saddened to see his passing, as I cannot imagine the hole it creates in so many hearts.  He had a positive, nurturing effect on everyone he ever met, and always did everything in his power to promote the interests of young officers and Marines and put them on the path to excellence.  I just cannot say enough good things about him.  He kept me in the Corps as a young Lieutenant and, from afar, had a direct or indirect hand in my subsequent assignments and promotions, including such cush B billet assignments as the GWU MOI and a tour at the On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA, now DTRA, where I continue to serve now as a Civilian, though soon to retire).  Ray was the perfect mentor, and I regret we lost touch long ago, but that's down to my failures, not his.  Ray was such a polished Marine, so accomplished, such a great mentor, so giving, and a great friend to all.  He always had a smile on his face and had a quick wit.  He was a gifted, natural motivator, who created a positive, professional atmosphere wherever he went and got the best out of everyone simply because they were anxious not to disappoint him.  I am so sorry to see his passing.  Please, please accept my condolences.  He will be missed greatly. s/f John