Kenneth W. Rarey, 85, Physicist. You may have avoided a driving accident thanks to an innovation developed by Wheeling native Kenneth W. Rarey, who died recently.

Mr. Rarey, who grew up in Mozart and who graduated from Wheeling High School, was an expert on retro-reflective particles, and developed a process that made lights on highway signs glow much brighter at night making it safer to drive.

An army veteran, Mr. Rarey graduated from West Liberty University and received his masters degree from West Virginia University. He did post- graduate work at Purdue University.

He taught physics at WLU, received 17 patents for Continental Can Co. in Chicago, and became senior vice president in charge of European operations stationed in The Hague for Avery International Corp. of Pasadena, Ca.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Moyes) of San Diego, Ca., a sister, Eileen McGrail of Wheeling, three daughters, Elaine (Jerry) Robbins, Cathy (Guido) Van Drunen, and Susan Moralis, all of California. and brother-in-law, Dr. Norman Moyes of Boston.