Robert D. Ray (1928 - )

Robert D. Ray, a respected, prominent and successful Iowa trial lawyer, political, business and civic leader, has made a lasting difference in the lives of Iowans. At the turn of the century he was named the “Most Influential Iowan.” Best known for the 14 years (1969-1983) that he served as governor, Robert D. Ray led by example and shaped the public’s perception of what a governor should be. He brought outstanding organizational, management and leadership skills to state government that improved the quality of life for Iowans during his unprecedented five terms as governor.

He was one of Iowa’s most popular politicians and appealed to all people -regardless of party affiliation. At one time it was estimated that 98% of all Iowans recognized the name of “Robert D. Ray”. Honest, sincere and man of integrity, Bob Ray had natural leadership talents and a personal warmth and charm that made him a favorite with all Iowans.  Ray loves Iowa and its people. He takes pride in being remembered for his ability to raise the level of appreciation for the state of Iowa. He enjoys and appreciates the richness the state offers – the land, the people, the educational system, the hardworking ethics of Iowans and the value they place on family.

Ray has lived his whole life in Iowa, most of it in his hometown of Des Moines.  After leaving office, the Rays lived in Cedar Rapids, and they lived in New York temporarily when he served as a U.S. Representative to the United Nations. In recent years he was presented the Des Moines Register’s first Iowa Star Award in recognition for his outstanding community involvement. Besides his leadership as Iowa’s governor Ray served as an influential state and national Republican Party leader, CEO at two Iowa insurance companies, an educational leader at Drake University, Des Moines civic leader and volunteer. His volunteer efforts earned him a National Volunteer Award. Among many other awards, he has received the prestigious Hoover Humanitarian Award.  He was also inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame, the Insurance Hall of Fame and the Legal Aid Hall of Fame.

Ray was chair of the Republican Party in Iowa and the National Association Republicans chairman.  He was chair of the Republican Governor, chair of the Midwest Governors and chair of the National Governors Assocaition.  He also chaired the Education Commission of the States.

His political skills had their start in 8^th grade when he was elected president of Callanan Student Council. Ray ran a miniature campaign with banners, posters, and a speech to get elected.  His father and grandfather were strong Republicans. As a young boy a great-aunt took Bob Ray to the inauguration of a governor. This created an interest that never left him.

Growing up Bob Ray loved sports, always having a bat and ball and glove. He enjoyed listening on the radio to Cubs baseball.  Ray thought when he grew up he would hopefully play ball for a living. When it came time to choose up sides for teams, Bob Ray was always selected the captain. At Roosevelt High School he played tennis and captained the basketball team.  He pitched softball on championship teams when softball was very popular.

From 1960-67 Ray did the color commentary and pre-game show as a radio broadcaster for the University of Iowa football games.  He worked with Frosty Mitchell broadcasting the games over Mitchell’s statewide radio network.  The Rays established the radio station in Estherville and were co-owners of the WMT stations in Cedar Rapids.

Drake University is a place that holds special meaning for Bob Ray. He is one of Drake’s most noted graduates and remains a loyal supporter and booster. He entered Drake after serving in the military overseas and earned his B.A. in business in 1952. As college student he was known for his ability to organize things. Ray forced himself to run for an office to get over being shy in front of people. He held numerous leadership positions at Drake including: president of the student body, president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Psi, and a tribune of Delta Theta Phi. While attending Drake Ray also worked as circulation manager for the Des Moines Register and Tribune. He earned his law degree from Drake in 1954 and went on to practice law in the firm of Lawyer, Lawyer, Ray and Crouch until elected Governor.

In later years Bob Ray served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Drake and then became President of the university.  He is the recipient of a distinguished alumnus award from Drake University.

In November 1968, Ray was elected to be the 38^th governor of Iowa winning with a 93,000 vote margin. He won 83 out of 99 counties. Previously in April of 1968 he had been seriously injured in a plane crash. Ray’s wife Billie and friends such as Frosty Mitchell carried on the campaign efforts until Ray could resume his own campaigning.

Bob Ray made great use of TV and airplanes for political campaigning. He was the first candidate to do a fly around press conference. He flew to all Iowa TV station cities in the same day. One campaign had a highly popular and very catchy campaign song – “Step to the Rear” sung by Iowan Marilyn Maye.

He was the first governor elected from Des Moines in 26 years and the only governor born in Des Moines.  He was the first governor since 1901 to be inaugurated outside the capitol’s house chambers. He was the first governor to have his inauguration celebrated on live TV. He also had 4 inauguration balls. He gave the longest inauguration speech – over 1 hour and 15 minutes, believing that he needed to lay out his position on nearly every issue.  It was so long he said, “I think I slept through a lot of it!”  For the first few years of his governorship he held daily press conferences.

In 1972 the state constitution was amended to change the terms of office for elected officials. Terms were changed from two to fours years. Bob Ray became the first four year term governor in over 100 years.  He also served longer than any of his predecessors.

Bob Ray truly enjoyed being the governor of Iowa. He grew into the job of governor more each year he was in office. He made people feel proud to be an Iowan. Iowans felt Ray was someone they could identify with. He had a love of the state and affection for people.  Ray enjoyed the ceremonial part of being governor – the ground breaking ceremonies, the grand marshalling in local parades, the award presenting and ice cream judging (a favorite food of his). He was at his best visiting Iowa communities and talking with Iowa people.

Billie Ray has been a steady, ever- present influence in Bob Ray’s life. She has always been there for him. A great campaigner, she handled the job of being Iowa’s first lady very graciously. Billie Ray grew into her job just as her husband grew into his.  Bob and Billie Ray made a great team!  In their many worldwide travels the Rays were wonderful ambassadors for the state of Iowa. Billie became a favorite with Iowans too.

In 1972 the Terrace Hill mansion was given to the state. Billie Ray was instrumental in renovation and fund-raising efforts for Terrace Hill. The Rays became the first governor’s family to move into the Terrace Hill governor’s mansion in 1976. Terrace Hill became the official residence for the Iowa’s governor and family.

During his five terms as governor Robert Ray combined moral leadership with running of good state government. He was a confident, action-oriented leader who had innovative new ideas. He always made his own decisions based on what he thought was right and the best thing to do. He would listen to all sides of an issue, get different viewpoints, consider all aspects and then make a decision. Ray was a man of integrity and consistency, guided by high standards and very high goals. He insisted on good, stable, clean government.  As Iowa’s leader he was willing to take the responsibility to make things happen.

The job role of being Iowa’s governor changed during his terms in office. The biggest change occurred administratively. The greater concentration of power was centralized in the office of the chief executive. Ray also brought about streamlining and consolidating various state agencies. He was a strong advocate of highway safety and environmental concerns.

            Important legislation during his terms of office included:

·        Established the Department of Environmental Quality

·        Lowered the voting age from 21 to 19

·        Removal of sales tax from food and prescription drugs

·        Revamping school aid and creating the tuition grant program

·        Granted collective bargaining rights to all public employees

·        Instrumental in establishing the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

·        Created the Department of Transportation

·        Established the Commission on the Status of Women

·        Bottle Bill – 5 cent deposit on bottles and cans (This was an especially important bill to Ray. He took a leadership role in getting this vision passed.)

In the late 1970’s Ray took a leader’s role worldwide in the re-settlement of refugees fleeing Cambodia and Thailand. In 1979, 3500 refugees, mostly Tai Dam refugees, called Iowa home. Iowa became a leader in taking refugees from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Bob Ray took a courageous stand in doing what he knew was right – helping people relocate, find jobs and start new lives in Iowa. Over $500,000 was raised for SHARES (Send Help to Aid Refugees and End Starvation).

Currently a Robert D. Ray Asian garden is being planned as part of a riverwalk project on the east side of Des Moines. It will honor Ray’s efforts for welcoming thousands of Vietnamese refugees to Iowa. A street that runs near the planned Asian garden has been named the “Robert D. Ray Drive”.

Robert D. Ray has been the recipient of many tributes and awards. He has honorary degrees from at least 17 colleges and universities. He has served on numerous boards of directors. He is a trustee for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. He filled in as an interim Mayor of Des Moines. He has been actively involved in national health care issues, serving on presidential commissions on health care.  He chairs the National Coalition on Health Care.

He was the chairman of the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission. As an outgrowth of this commission Ray was instrumental in bringing the “Character Counts” program to Iowa. This lifestyle for good character based on 6 pillars for living is now successfully implemented in many Iowa schools. This is an initiative which changes the way people live --  and in which he takes a great deal of pride.

Robert D. Ray has lived a life filled with great opportunities that he made the most of. Working together with people and always giving back to others, he has touched the hearts of people and changed lives – always doing what he thought was the right thing to do!  To many Iowans he is still known as  “Governor”.