| |
June 20, 1942. They moved
to Jamestown, North Dakota, when Raymond was less than one year old. There he graduated
cum laude from St. John’s Academy in 1960. He attended St. John’s University, Collegeville,
Minnesota for 2 years, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology with minors in
botany and chemistry at North Dakota State University, Fargo, in 1964, and completed his
Master of Science degree in Zoology at South Dakota State University, Brookings, in 1966.
Ray returned to Jamestown that year and joined the research staff of the Northern Prairie
Wildlife Research Center, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which had opened only one year
earlier. He worked there as a wildlife biologist for over 32 years until his retirement in 1998.
Ray married Marsha Frances Durick on December 28, 1964, in Columbus, North Dakota.
They had two children, Thomas William born January 9, 1966, in Brookings, South Dakota,
and Anne Geraldine born June 1, 1967, in Jamestown, North Dakota. Ray and Marsha were
divorced in 1985. On August 30, 1997, Ray married Marsha Ann Sovada in Jamestown, North
Dakota. They both enjoy relatively good health and continue to reside in Jamestown.
Ray’s professional career focused on mammalian predators of grassland nesting birds and
the role of predation and landscape condition in influencing mid-continental waterfowl
populations. Ray authored and co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications. He published
several monographic works that have had significant impact on the understanding of grassland
predator ecology. Throughout his career, Ray contributed significantly to public education and
outreach. He also was a mentor to a large number of young biologists, including many graduate
students from several universities by serving on their committees and facilitating their research.
He was awarded the Superior Service Award for the U.S. Department of the Interior, 1998 and
the Professional Award for the North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2002. Ray is presently,
or has been a member of The Wildlife Society, North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society,
Central Mountains and Plains Chapter of The Wildlife Society, North Dakota Natural Science
Society, and American Society of Mammalogists. He served as an Executive Board Member of
the North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Besides professional organizations, Ray is a
member, past president, and advisory board member of the North Dakota Archeological
Association, and member and past chairman of the Homer Township Board of Supervisors,
Stutsman County, North Dakota.
Besides his professional career, Ray also maintained a strong interest for many years in woodworking,
which continues to occupy much of his time since retirement. He enjoys cabinet and furniture
making. Ray also had extensive interests in organic food production. He was a long time member of
the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society and raised abundant crops of organic vegetables
and fruits that he shared with family and friends. He was an avid hunter and fisher, partaking in these
sports throughout North Dakota and adjoining states and Canadian provinces.
In 2006 Ray was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy, a devastating neurological disorder. Despite the disabilities the disease caused, Ray showed those around him how to face difficulties in life with humor, courage, tenacity, strength and the love of family and friends.
Ray died peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, September 6, 2015. He was 73 years old.
|
