Governor Robert Ray speaks at Central College Commencement, 1982.
Photo from The Pelican Yearbook, Central College Archives

Central College had a special connection with former Governor Robert Ray, who passed away earlier this week.
Dr. Ken Weller, President Emeritus of Central, tells KNIA/KRLS News he developed a great friendship with Ray over the years, and has always been touched by his kindness and deep sense of caring for others.
“The key thing in understanding the life of Bob Ray, is to recognize he had a deep and sincere interest in helping people,” he says.
“He was a great man, and he was a great man by serving others, not by serving his own-self interest […] I deeply admired him and I liked him — he was fun to be with.”
Weller recalls Ray and First Lady Billie having profound impact on the people of Iowa, and hopes everyone remembers his desire to serve everyone and make Iowa a better place for all. Ray spoke at the Central College commencement in 1982 near the end of his term as the state’s 38th Governor, and made several visits to campus during his lifetime, including Simpson-Central football games. Weller and Ray and their families became good friends, which included Dr. Weller supporting Ray in his post-public service life with Life Investors, Inc., later known as AEGON, where Weller served on the board to build relationships between Iowa and the Netherlands, while Ray was President and CEO.
“The key to his interest in becoming the President of Life Investors was to serve the people in Iowa that were involved in this business, in which he was trying to be helpful and to help provide insurance programs to our people,” he says.
Ray was awarded an honorary degree, in part, due to his service to Iowa and connections with then-Central staff members Dutch Vermeer and Bill Thompson, who both worked for the governor.
Ray was remembered with a processional through Des Moines and a public service at the state capitol building Thursday afternoon. Hear more about Dr. Weller’s memories of Robert Ray and his impact on Central College on today’s Let’s Talk Pella (available on player below).