Ray Ladd; program collecting memories for book

PULLMAN, Wash. – This obituary, at full length and with photos, is posted on the website of the engineering and technology management program at WSU (https://etm.wsu.edu/documents/2015/03/ray-ladd-in-memory.pdf):

It is with a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of Dr. Ray Ladd, our great friend and colleague. He passed away on May 21, 2014, at his home in Kendrick, Idaho, surrounded by his loving wife, Claudia, his son and daughter and their families.

Ray was the first full-time professor in the budding WSU engineering management program when he was appointed professor and program coordinator in August 1988. He continued in his role as coordinator until his surprise retirement in May 2012.

He loved to teach, and we suspect he would have continued doing so for many years, but his battle with illness was demanding too much of his energy at that time. In his quiet, courageous manner, he carried his burden alone, reluctant to reveal how difficult the fight was becoming near the end of his career.

His love of the outdoors was close to the top of the list of things he cherished. With his generous spirit, stories were not the only things he shared; members of the program often enjoyed the salmon and halibut he brought home from his adventures.

On top of being an expert in all the aspects of engineering management, Ray had many other talents. He created beautiful furniture for his home and even manufactured numerous complex mini-catapults for his students to illustrate the principles of statistical experimental design.

He learned guitar as a young man and loved to play along with his father. Somewhere along the line he picked up the mandolin and in the last several years he worked on mastering the banjo.

As a tribute to Ray and gift to his family, the program is collecting materials for a book encompassing his many contributions and the memories we have of him. We invite Ray’s students, colleagues and friends to contribute by sending short or long memories telling how he touched your lives; a brief note of sympathy and concern would also be appropriate.

Please send your remembrances to etm@wsu.edu; subject: Ray Ladd.