Robert D. Ray
Robert Dolph Ray (September 26, 1928 – July 8, 2018) was an American lawyer and Republican politician. He served as the 38th governor of Iowa from January 16, 1969 to January 14, 1983. During his tenure as governor, Ray served as chair of the National Governors Association from 1975 to 1976; led to the passage of the Iowa Burials Protection Act of 1976, which was the first legislative act in the United States that specifically protected American Indian remains; and accepted thousands of refugees into Iowa. In his later years, Ray served as acting mayor of Des Moines from May 1997 to November 1997 and was interim president of Drake University in 1998. Early life and education Ray was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1928. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1946. After high school, Ray served in the United States Army. Ray received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Drake University in 1952 and a law degree in 1954. Career Ray began his career as a trial lawyer. Following several years practicing law, Ray became chair of the Iowa Republican Party in 1963. Governor of Iowa In 1969, Ray became the governor of Iowa.