Robert D. Ray
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Robert D. Ray served as Iowa’s 38th Governor from 1969 to 1983 and was one of the state’s most respected leaders. A former trial lawyer, Ray’s true calling was public service. He chaired the National Governors Association (1975–76) and held leadership roles in the Republican Governors Association, Midwestern Governors Association, and the Education Commission of the States.
Beyond politics, Ray served on the boards of major corporations including Maytag, AEGON USA, Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo), and Alliant Energy. He was a trustee of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, a founding member of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and co-chair of Keep Iowa Beautiful. Ray received Iowa’s highest civilian honor—the Iowa Award—in 2005, becoming the only governor or former governor to do so. |
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Governor Robert D. Ray made enduring contributions to lifelong learning through visionary leadership and a deep commitment to education, equity, and civic engagement. His legacy includes:
• In 1971, Ray signed the school foundation plan into law, designed to reduce disparities among Iowa school districts and promote equal access to quality education.
• He established numerous state bodies that advanced learning and ethics, including the Iowa Council for Children, the Task Force on Government Ethics, the Science Advisory Council, and the Iowa High Technology Commission.
• Ray signed legislation creating the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women in 1974, later becoming its first recipient of the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice.
• In 1976, he enacted the Iowa Burials Protection Act—the first U.S. law safeguarding American Indian remains.
• Ray pioneered refugee resettlement by welcoming the Tai Dam people to Iowa, setting a national example of compassion and global citizenship.
• He chaired Iowa’s Sesquicentennial Commission, which inspired the CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative—now a flagship program of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University.
• Ray continued to champion learning and ethics as CEO of Life Investors Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and as interim president of Drake University, where he helped establish the Institute for Character Development.
His work improved the quality of life across Iowa and the nation, setting a lasting example of leadership rooted in education, ethics, and service.
• In 1971, Ray signed the school foundation plan into law, designed to reduce disparities among Iowa school districts and promote equal access to quality education.
• He established numerous state bodies that advanced learning and ethics, including the Iowa Council for Children, the Task Force on Government Ethics, the Science Advisory Council, and the Iowa High Technology Commission.
• Ray signed legislation creating the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women in 1974, later becoming its first recipient of the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice.
• In 1976, he enacted the Iowa Burials Protection Act—the first U.S. law safeguarding American Indian remains.
• Ray pioneered refugee resettlement by welcoming the Tai Dam people to Iowa, setting a national example of compassion and global citizenship.
• He chaired Iowa’s Sesquicentennial Commission, which inspired the CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative—now a flagship program of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University.
• Ray continued to champion learning and ethics as CEO of Life Investors Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and as interim president of Drake University, where he helped establish the Institute for Character Development.
His work improved the quality of life across Iowa and the nation, setting a lasting example of leadership rooted in education, ethics, and service.