Ray Schoenke Obituary

RAY SCHOENKE Ray Schoenke, a magnetic figure whose 12-year NFL career, business successes and political activism brought him wide respect, died Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Gaithersburg, MD. Born in Wahiawa, Hawaii, to Olivia Alapa and Raymond Schoenke Sr., he moved with his military family but always considered Hawaii home. A standout athlete, he played football and baseball at Punahou until his family relocated to Texas, where he continued his football career at SMU. He played for multiple NFL teams, retiring from the Washington Redskins in 1976. Off the field he loved politics, history, music and dance, and built a successful Insurance investment firm, Ray Schoenke and Associates, retiring at 52. He split his later years between Washington, D.C. and Hawaii, remaining active with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, and Hawaiian and Maryland politics. Ray was husband to the late Nancy and father to Eric Schoenke, Page Chang, and Holly West. His family remembers him as a flawed herocharismatic, brilliant and deeply human. In later years he struggled with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and devotedly cared for Nancy during her 12-year battle with Parkinson's. He is survived by his children, six granddaughters, and 2 sisters. Memorial arrangements will be announced. To honor his memory, please consider a donation to the Concussion & CTE Foundation