Paul Wray passed away in the early afternoon hours of February 20.
After completing his PhD. in forest biology at Iowa State University, he served briefly as a faculty member at Virginia Polytechnic Institute before returning to the Forestry Department at Iowa State University as a faculty member in forestry extension. For over 30 years, he and Dean Prestemon were the “face of forestry” to countless forest land owners around the state. Between the two of them, they explained forestry, from tree planting to proper use and care of wood, to all who were interested. He loved traveling the state with Dean to deliver forestry field days, workshops, and master woodland manager programs to all who wanted to do a better job of managing their forest holdings. He was universally liked by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.
There will be a celebration of Paul’s life sometime in March and his family has initiated a Caring Bridge site.
- Contributed by Dr. Steve Jungst