Raymond Reister

Reister, Raymond Alex Retired Lawyer And Longtime Community Advocate Died Sunday at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. He was 75. Ray was born December 22, 1929 in Sioux City, Iowa to Harold W. and Anne E. (Eberhardt) Reister. He graduated from St. Paul Central High School where he was active in drama, history and student journalism. He attended Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude with an AB degree in 1952 and his LLB in 1955. Ray was an active member of the Harvard Alumni Association, serving as regional director of Associated Harvard Alumni and president of the Harvard Club of Minnesota. He was a member of the Harvard/Radcliff Club of Minnesota and represented Harvard at the inauguration of the current president of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN. Following graduation, Ray worked as an associate at the New York law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, and Garrison and was admitted to the NY Bar in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-59 as Judge Advocate, while stationed in Germany. In 1959, Ray began a 34-year career with Dorsey & Whitney of Minneapolis. He was a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Hennepin County Bar Association. He was also a Fellow in the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel. Ray was a recognized local and national leader in Trust & Estate law and was co-editor of the publication: Minnesota Probate Administration. From 1964-1966, he was an adjunct faculty member for the University of Minnesota, Extension Division. Ray married Ruth Elizabeth Alkema on October 7, 1967 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. They shared great love of art and the humanities, birds and wildlife, books and literature, music, and travel. In 1976 Ray was awarded a Bush Foundation Fellowship and served as a Visiting Scholar at The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Both he and Ruth were admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar. Friends were well aware of Ray's great admiration and love for Ruth. Known for his deep appreciation of rare books and community development, Ray served on numerous civic, social and community boards. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Humanities Commission, Treasurer of the Minnesota Historical Society, Vice President of the Minneapolis Athenaeum, member of the Minneapolis Club, former member of the Minnesota News Council, past Board member of ARC, and former trustee of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. Ray also served on several family foundations throughout his career. Ray was a gentle person who thrived on opportunities to learn and engage in intellectual discussion. He accepted adversity with great determination and sought to make a difference through political action; community advocacy; and a significant commitment of volunteer leadership, spirit and resources. His quiet demeanor, loyalty and infectious humor will be missed. Ray is survived by his loving spouse, Ruth; and cousins Ethel Fisher of Sioux City, Iowa and Harold Reister of Dallas, TX. Ray's life will be honored and celebrated with a Visitation on TONIGHT from 5-8 PM at Washburn-McReavy, 2301 Dupont Ave. S., Minneapolis and at a Memorial Service Friday at 11 AM at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 12th Street at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minnesota History Center, Minnesota Humanities Commission, or the Minneapolis Athenaeum. Washburn McReavy Davies Chapel 612-377-2203

Tributes

Raymond Reister

September 8, 2005

Tributes

Raymond Reister

September 8, 2005

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