Hans "Ray" Raymond Cairncross

Hans "Ray" Raymond Cairncross, 84, of Ketchum, Idaho, passed away at his home on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with Wendy, his wife of forty-two years, holding his hand. In his final days he was surrounded by his adoring family: daughter Allison Stites (Andre) and grandchildren Erin (24) and Brendon (27), daughter Caitlin Dietiker (Greg) and granddaughter Elsie (3), son Christian (Laura) and granddaughters Grayson (4) and Madison (10 months), and niece Jill Robertson Vrablick.

Ray was born in Everett, Washington to Shjalvor Adeline Hanson and Donald Raymond Cairncross. He spent his earliest years with his extended family and among his fondest memories were hearing the sounds of his immigrant grandparents speaking Norwegian and the smells of baking that filled their modest home. Ray moved frequently during those years, attending six elementary schools in two years.

When the family settled in Olympia, Washington, Ray attended Olympia High School, graduating with honors. As a standout quarterback, he was scouted by elite colleges and went on to Stanford University on a football scholarship. Upon graduation from Stanford, in 1963, Ray joined the Peace Corps, and spent two years teaching middle and upper school in what was then the British colony of Tanganyika.

Returning to the United States, and despite an early interest in medicine, he enrolled in the University of Washington Law School. During his tenure Ray became the Editor of the Law Review and, at graduation, was awarded his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), and membership in The Order of the Coif.

Ray began his law career at Perkins Coie in Seattle, eventually starting the independent law firm, Cairncross and Hempelmann. In addition to building a successful and widely admired law firm, Ray launched a variety of entrepreneurial endeavors, including medical and bio-tech startups.

Ray also loved art, which led to a collection of Northwest Masters and the board of directors of the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington. In 1996, Ray and Wendy moved with their children, Christian and Caitlin to Ketchum, Idaho, where the children attended The Community School and where Ray served on the board. He served also on the board of The Community Library and the Sun Valley Museum of Art.

Ray was an avid reader and loved golf, crabbing, clamming, and waterskiing at Hood Canal, Washington, where the family had a vacation home. In Idaho, he skied, played tennis, and gardened. As an inveterate collector he curated and loved his antique cars, pens and watches. Above all else, however, he cherished his strong and loving family, the source of his greatest pride and joy.

Ray is predeceased by his parents, his sister Dawn Cairncross Robertson and his nephew, Brett Robertson. Our family would like to thank Colette Roudabush for her support and caregiving; Pat Dugan and her team of caregivers; all of the doctors, nurses, and support staff at St. Luke’s Wood River and Twin Falls, including Drs. Greenberg and Prouty; David, Bridget and Bill and the rest of the team at Wood River Hospice and Palliative Care; and Dr. Writer at St. Alphonsus in Boise. In lieu of flowers, donations to any charity of your choice or the following are appreciated: slwrf.org, hpcwrv.org, svmoa.org, com lib.org.

A celebration of life for family and close friends will be held this summer.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family in the guestbook section below.