A death

The Virginia conservation community was shocked and saddened to hear
of the sudden and unexpected death of Steve Ray on Wednesday,
October 22nd. at the age of 47.

Steve was the Objects conservator at Colonial Williamsburg and had
recently been promoted to one of the department's Team Leaders.
Before coming to Colonial Williamsburg, Steve worked for many years
at the Richmond Conservation Studio with Cleo Mullins.

Those who knew him deeply respected his work and dedication to
conservation. He was simply one of the most talented and imaginative
bench conservators many of us have had the privilege to know.

Steve had one of those rare charismatic personalities which went far
beyond the lab walls.  He had a presence which was unmistakable--you
found yourself laughing with him and also you knew when he wanted to
be left alone to work in silence.  He had an  incorrigible sense of
humor and a devilish smile.  He never suffered fools silently.  And
he fostered and encouraged the minds and talents of so many interns
who have gone on to graduate programs and into the beginning years
of their careers in the profession.

Steve will be truly missed by those who knew him and learned from
him.

Steve's family has requested that  donations be made to the SPCA in
his memory.

David Harvey
Associate Conservator,
Metals & Arms
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg VA  23187-1776  USA
757-220-7039

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:40
                 Distributed: Tuesday, October 28, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-40-001
                                  ***