CES Newsletter Member Spotlight: Ray DePuy – A Lifetime of Engineering and Impact

At 78 years old, Ray DePuy is more than just a long-time member of the Cleveland Engineering Society (CES)—he’s a living bridge between the past, present, and future of engineering in Northeast Ohio.

Ray joined CES in 1980, during its 100th anniversary, and has remained a dedicated member for 45 years. “I was in my early 30s, just finishing my bachelor’s at Cleveland State,” he recalls. “I started as a draftsman, worked my way into design, and eventually became an engineer.”

A Career Built on Curiosity and Grit

Ray’s journey into engineering wasn’t linear. After earning an associate degree from Tri-C and a bachelor’s from CSU, he passed the Professional Engineer exam on his first try in 1978. He later earned an MBA from Baldwin Wallace in 1993. His career spanned mechanical engineering, special machinery, and leadership roles in the machine tool industry, including time at National Acme and Warren Swasey.

He also spent a decade at CAMP (now MAGNET), where he first experienced email—“The computer generation changed everything,” he says. Ray eventually launched his own consulting firm, Edgecliff Group, and continues to serve a few clients today.

A Passion for Teaching and Mentorship

Ray’s love for learning extended into teaching. For over 20 years, he taught night classes in manufacturing and management at institutions like Cleveland State, Case Western, Lakeland, and New England College. He currently teaches online management courses for Arizona-based programs.

His inspiration? A high school job at Sears, where he met an engineer from American Monorail who became a mentor. “That connection changed my life,” Ray says.

Leadership at CES

Ray’s involvement with CES deepened over time. He served nine years on the board, including a term as President around 1995. One of his proudest moments was organizing a Lifetime Achievement Award for Bob Madison, Ohio’s first registered African American architect, at age 100.

Advice to the Next Generation

Ray’s advice to the next generation would be to get involved as much as one can. He encourages people to think critically about how things are built, how they function, why they help the larger picture.

“CES had a significant impact on me. Serving on the Board of Directors and eventually becoming President helped me grow professionally. I learned by doing, and overall, it was a truly rewarding experience.”