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Robert D. Ray: An Iowa Treasure - Keep Iowa Beautiful
Support the "Keep Iowa Beautiful" Program - buy the book, it is hard to beat!
This article is intended to be both 1) a promotion piece for a wonderful book supporting an important cause, and 2) a tribute to a special person in Iowa history; a man I had the privilege of serving with in Iowa government for four years.
This beautiful book was created from Bob Ray's photography collection as a fund-raiser for the Keep Iowa Beautiful program that is one of his favorite causes. The book itself is a tribute to his service to the State of Iowa, the USA, and the world.
Join with me in owning this book, order today, and then reading it to learn the many things he has done for Iowa and humanity following his years as Governor of Iowa. THANKS! ;-)
Link to the Keep Iowa Beautiful book order page
Although you can easily order from Amazon, below, if you use this link to order, you will maximize your contribution to the Keep Iowa Beautiful program as well as get this really neat book! ;-)
- ORDER PAGE at Keep Iowa Beautiful official website
Ordering through his link will bring the greatest benefit to the program.
Use Amazon to order your book
This is where I got my copy, it came quickly, and I was most pleased with it. Great for your coffee table, but be sure to read the stories of this remarkable couple, Bob and Billie, and those they have worked with through the years.
Did you know all the things Bob Ray has done after being Governor? - Read the book to learn even more!
This is another example of how 'politicians' who are truly 'public servants' can still be of great benefit to their communities and regions without having to continually seek public office. This man could have been a great president of the USA, but recognized he could also serve in other capacities - and did! ;-)
Did you know all the things Bob Ray has done after being Governor?
More useful Iowa and Robert D Ray links
- The official Keep Iowa Beautiful website
The official source of all information about the Keep Iowa Beautiful program - The official State of Iowa website
The starting point for all State of Iowa government information - Iowa on Wikipedia
A great starting point to learn more about the State of Iowa - Robert D. Ray on Wikipedia
A great starting point for learning more about Robert D. Ray
Iowa on Amazon
This looks like fun. I love every one of these Off the Beaten Path books! ;-)
Personal work connection
Four years of service to the State of Iowa
I was privileged to serve under Governor Robert D Ray for four years in the first half of the 1970s, fairly early during the sixteen years that he served as Governor of the State of Iowa. The first two years I was one of five members of his personal staff (see photo) serving in a variety of roles.
The final years of my service were as Deputy Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Social Services (at the time) including traveling to each of the 99 Iowa counties to support the integration of the county social services agencies into the newly created regional state structure set up by the Iowa legislature.
Over the four years I also had the privilege of serving on several boards and commissions, and, for about six months, served as Acting State Librarian. These were all great experiences.
The photo image comes from the Des Moines Register which ran a story on the governor's personal staff not long after I joined it. I'm on the right. On the left is Bill Jackson, with whom I recently exchanged emails and learned that, though retired, as am I, he works a couple of days a week with the Keep Iowa Beautiful program as an Assistant Director and was actively involved in the compilation of the material in this remarkable book.
Always fun to see what each state has, and why they think they are special.
Your Comments are Appreciated! - Thanks for stopping by! ;-)
- Author
@WriterJanis2: Yes, I totally agree! ;-)
It sounds like a wonderful book and what a great reason for the author writing it.
- Author
@choosehappy: Thank you! ;-)
I haven't heard of him but certainly enjoyed your article about him!
- Author
@anonymous: Hope you continue your visits. The Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area is another great accomplishment with which he was affiliated. ;-)
I have enjoyed visiting Iowa many times. It has some of the best disc golf courses in the country. I did not know anything about Robert Ray before reading this article, but his contributions to the start are impressive.
- Author
@VBright: Thank you for your kind words! Best wishes to you, as well. ;-)
- Author
@RinchenChodron: After your note, it appears the bug is fixed. Thanks.
Hiya, neighbor! A Nebraskan just stopping by. I am not familiar with Bob Ray, but I enjoyed the lens just the same! Great Squidoo portfolio you have going. Keep it up!
The survey has a bug! No I did not know about this. Haven't lived in Iowa for about 18 years. But thanks for this information
- Author
@anonymous: Thank you. It was a very important part of my life, for sure. I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity, thanks to him, and his staff. ;-)
I think you've accomplished both your purposes here very well in honoring BobRay...I don't recall hearing of him along the way but must have....thanks for a refreshing refresher and how cool that you have played such an important role in Iowa's history as well....congratulations on a great We've Got Personality feature! :)
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