Written by Dondi Dahlin   Dr. Raymond Donald Dahlin December 15, 1930-July 16, 2004   Ray “Don” Dahlin died peacefully in his home in Poway, California.  Ray was born in East Chicago, Indiana, to Carl Dahlin and Mary Rybensky and lived there with his brothers and sister until 1949.  He loved high school and attended Washington High in East Chicago where he excelled in Speech, Debate, Drama, Basketball, Clarinet, and Saxophone. He competed against James Dean in local Speech and Dramatic competitions, and held the positions of Student Manager, Sophomore Class President, and was involved in the Pep Club along with numerous other activities.    Ray moved to California after being offered a basketball scholarship from John Wooden, but he ultimately played for SDSU as he had family in San Diego.  He graduated as a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon.  He served in the Army at the end of the Korean War and spent his service years in Okinawa where he learned Japanese and managed the entertainment division of a large resort.    Returning to San Diego with an honorable discharge, Ray taught Speech & Debate at SDSU as well as several local colleges and high schools.  He coached and judged local Speech competitions and competitors, including Dennis Hopper, in various Speech and Dramatic competitions.  In the 1950’s, he had his own television program in San Diego called, “Teens-n-Twenties,” featuring the top hairstyles and fashions of the day.  In the 1960’s he married Donna Edens from Ramona, started teaching at Palomar College and had his first baby girl, Tanya Monique.  In the late 60’s (and on Tanya’s 3rd birthday), Donna and Ray had their second baby girl, Dondi Simone.   Soon after, the family moved from Pacific Beach to Del Mar.    The 1970s brought Ray great success as the head coach of the Palomar Speech and Debate Team. Throughout the next three decades Ray was the chairperson of the Speech/Theatre/Dance Department as well as Broadcasting, Television, Radio, Pre-Legal, Speech Audiology and Pathology, Cinema, and American Sign Language.  In Ray’s 33 year career at Palomar, his Speech Team won four U.S. National Speech & Debate Championships and numerous local and regional tournaments garnering thousands of personal and team trophies.     In 1977 Ray and his family took a trip to the islands of The South Pacific and Ray fell in love with the Fiji Islands where the family continued to visit throughout Ray’s life.  In the 1980’s Ray continued to coach the Palomar Speech Team in which his daughters joined and became National Champions in Public Speaking and Oral Interpretation of Literature.     In 1998 Ray retired from Palomar College after a massive stroke but continued to spend time with his daughters doing the things he truly loved.  One of Ray’s great loves was ballroom dancing, of which he won many contests throughout the years.  Ray won an insurmountable amount of awards in his life including, “Coach of the Decade,”  “Outstanding Educator,” “Outstanding Faculty Advisor,” “National Outstanding Speech Educator,” and “Teacher of the Year.”  He always kept active in politics, clubs, and organizations. He received Certificates of Appreciation from State Senators, Assemblyman, the US Congress House of Representatives, California State Assembly, California State Senate, Lions Club International, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Optimistic International.    Ray campaigned for Councilman George Stevens and was the president of the George Stevens Youth Foundation.  In 1999 the San Diego City Council honored Ray with “Dr. Raymond Donald Dahlin Day.”  His personal interests included crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, spending time with his cat and “little girl” Lucia, and following his daughters’ professional dance careers.    “Celebration of Life” services will be held at the Palomar College Gym in San Marcos on August 29th at 6 PM.  Ray is survived by his daughters: Tanya Monique of Poway and Colorado and Dondi Simone of Pacific Beach; Sister: Doris Hojcus of Crown Point, Indiana; Brother: Carl Dahlin of Valparaiso, Indiana; Nephews: Brian Dahlin of Valparaiso, Carl Louis Dahlin of Valparaiso,  Christopher Dahlin of Valparaiso, and Randy Hoijcus of Hebron, Indiana; Niece:  Gar Lane of Hammond, Indiana; and ex-wife and best friend: Donna Eden of Ashland, Oregon.   Donations for the Ray Dahlin Memorial Fund can be sent to:  12825 Claire Dr.  Poway, CA  92064.