Member

Ray was born in Peru, Nebraska, on October 26, 1914. He received a BA degree from Doane College in 1936, an MA degree from the University of Nebraska in 1938, and a PhD degree in zoology from University of Michigan in 1942. Ray worked as an aquatic biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service from 1945 to 1946 and as fisheries research supervisor from 1947 to 1951. He became an assistant federal aid supervisor (1951-56), chief of the fisheries division (1956-58), chief of branch of federal aid (1958-59), assistant director of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (1959-71), and chief of the office of environmental quality (1971-72). While with the Service he received the Distinguished Service Citation from the Department of Interior for his lasting contributions to the advancement of natural resource conservation and for the universal admiration and respect accorded him as a fine public servant. Ray contributed significantly in wide-ranging aspects of resource research, management, and conservation education. As the Bureau’s chief science advisor, he successfully directed and advanced the course of fish and wildlife research in national and cooperating state programs. Raymond served with distinction on many departmental and interagency committees dealing with a variety of science-oriented problems of national concern. He was a key figure in the establishment and implementation of Federal-State water quality standards. Under Presidential appointment, Raymond productively discharged his responsibilities on the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission and his assignments to the United States-Japan Panel and United States-German Study Team on Water Pollution. Through his excellent rapport with people of all ages and classes, he was an outstanding communicator of conservation ideas and ideals. Ray was a member of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, American Fisheries Society, American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, The Wildlife Society, and Sigma Xi. Ray was elected to the Washington Biologists’ Field Club in 1963 and terminated his membership in 1985. Ray died on July 14, 2004, in Arlington, Virginia.