Freshwater Society

	Minnesota Honors Dick Gray	The Minnesota Weatherguide Environment^TM Calendar
	... It was standing-room-only in the Governor's Reception Room at the Minnesota State Capitol when numerous friends, family, admirers, Governor Tim Pawlenty, and the State of Minnesota recognized the life-long efforts of Richard (Dick) G. Gray, Sr., DSc, to the environment and society. "His enduring devotion will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the quality of freshwater resources," stated Pawlenty. In appreciation for his undying efforts, Dick Gray was awarded a proclamation from the state of Minnesota and April 24, 2006 was declared Dick Gray Day. Governor Tim Pawlenty acclaimed Dick Gray for establishing the Freshwater Society and the Freshwater Biological Institute in 1968, saying "Dick Gray was well before his time in showing conservation and a respect for freshwater resources and ecosystems. His efforts will have a great impact on our state's most precious resource." Following the Governor's Proclamation and comments, Dick Gray spoke, thanking the Governor and the State of Minnesota. He also acknowledged Dr. Richard Caldecott, Board of Directors of the Freshwater Society and Former Dean of the College of Biological Sciences, with his great assistance, without which, the Freshwater Society and Freshwater Biological Institute would not have been achieved. Dick Gray's life has been multifaceted - dedicating his time and love to his family, his career, and also diverse interests. All of these elements of his life have and continue to receive inexhaustible dedication, time, and passion. His interest and curiosity in the environment led him to become a vanguard on many pioneering projects and issues. His passion for humanity led him to lead organizations that support the rights of others in a variety of causes. His altruistic being has been true to his beliefs and has enhanced society. Dick Gray's persistent interest in the environment and phenology implored him to found the Freshwater Society in 1968, two years before the first Earth Day. He saw the general apathetic nature of society with their disregard to environmental issues, particularly freshwater resources, and decided to change peoples' views. Under Dick Gray's direction, the Freshwater Society raised the funds to build a research facility for the University of Minnesota. With 18 major laboratories, it was the only facility devoted to the research of fresh water. Many PhDs were earned at the facility and cutting-edge research was achieved. The Freshwater Society continues to educate citizens of all ages about the importance of freshwater resources and encourages all to become stewards of the resource to ensure its sustainability. Dick Gray has been very active on the Board of Directors for the Freshwater Society in varying capacities since its inception 38 years ago. He also is a published author and continues to write for the Freshwater Society's publications. His concern for freshwater resources also piloted Dick Gray to become involved involved in founding the Center for the Great Lakes, where he also served on the Board of Directors. Dick Gray has also lent his knowledge, time, and love of nature to many other environmental organizations' Boards of Directors including Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, the University of Minnesota Arboretum, Hennepin County Parks Foundation, Lamont Doherty Geophysical Laboratory at Columbia University, Minnesota Zoo Foundation, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. He remains a Lifetime Trustee of the Science Museum and the University of Minnesota Arboretum. Dick Gray is also a founder of the Minnesota Weatherguide Environment Calendars, which the Freshwater Society began publishing almost 30 years ago. He continues to relay his unique quality of capturing the excitement and intriguing aspects of the environment with his writings in the calendars. Dick Gray's keen business sense and investment experience as President of IDS Mutual Funds, under his leadership the largest complex of mutual funds at that time, has given him many opportunities to contribute to various business organizations including the Investment Company Institute in Washington D.C. and IDS Mutual Funds where he served on the Board of Directors and committees of 35 corporations. Equality and the protection of rights has also been a focus of Dick Gray. He was a founder and active Board Member for Minnesota Planned Parenthood and greatly involved in the Minneapolis Planned Parenthood Board of Directors. A Few Words About Dick Gray From Family and Friends: Dick Gray's zest for life and well-being has kept him very active in a number of health and athletic clubs. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Ridgeview Hospital Foundation, the Johnson Institute, and the Minneapolis YMCA and is co-founder of the North Star Tennis Club and has been active with the Minneapolis Athletic Club, Minneapolis Club, Minikahda Club, and Lafayette Club. Dr. Richard Caldecott, Freshwater Society Board Member, Former Dean of the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences: "To have Dick as a friend is to enjoy a rare treasure, one that is boundless, complete and steadfast no matter the circumstances with which one is confronted. To know the depth of his being is to experience the true meaning of leadership, commitment, dedication, integrity, selflessness and, above all, iron-willed determination; that determination is what has driven the Freshwater Society for 40 years and is what assures that Dick's legacy for all time will be the commitment he made to assuring that potable water will be a birth right for all future generations. It is incumbent on all managers of the Freshwater Society, present and future, to recognize that they have a responsibility to assure that his vision and legacy are not compromised." Dr. Gary Strobel, Plant Pathologist, Montana State University: "Dick Gray's enthusiasm for wilderness is boundless. His loyalty and friendship virtually define those words." Jack Pichotta, Founder, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center: "My first contact with Dick Gray occurred in 1969 when I called and asked if he would participate in an Earth Day program scheduled for April, 1970. He accepted. Two years later I became the director of a federally funded environmental education program at Isabella. When the federal support ended I needed help setting up what eventually became Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. Dick Gray mentored me through that process. He was a constant source of support and encouragement. Dick made me believe that for a good cause and with hard work, anything was possible." Eugene C. Sit, Chairman and CEO, Sit Investment Associates: "Dick is a great American who exemplifies the best in us. He is a true visionary who was among the first to recognize the importance of the environment to us. Additionally, is a role model for integrity in business and in life. It has been wonderful being his friend through these many years." Dr. Jack Horner, Paleontologist, Museum of the Rockies: "Dick Gray has been a great supporter of research in both living and extinct ecosystems." Dr. Alfred E. Kahn, Professor of Political Economy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY: "The breadth of Dick's knowledge, interests, and activities is daunting--in geology, in hunting fossils, collecting rare rocks, gardening, nature and wildlife preservation and his single-handed conception and carrying to fruition of the beautiful Freshwater Biological Institute on Lake Minnetonka, all of these while developing a highly successful business, retiring at an age when he could devote more time pursuing these other passions, indefatigably." Jim Gilbert, Naturalist: "I first met Dick Gray through his column titled "Pass-Words" which appeared in the Sun Newspapers starting in 1968 and continuing until 1993. His insightful observations on purple martins, chipmunks, conifers, monarch butterflies, daphnia, water biology, thunderstorms, ice-outs and much more made me feel that Dick appreciated the natural world. He shared his Vast knowledge, gained through his well-developed curiosity, with the many readers. I finally met Dick in person about 1976. He became the one who made it possible for me to be the consulting naturalist for all editions of the Minnesota Weatherguide Calendars starting in 1977, to be on the staff of the Freshwater Society in the early 1990s, and to share my nature notes with WCCO radio listeners from 1977 to the present. Every person needs a good mentor in their life journey. I thank Dick Gray for his inspiration and for making so many opportunities available to me." Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, RiverNight 2005 Governor Pawlenty recognized Dick Gray for founding the Freshwater Society almost 40 years ago. "I'm proud of the leadership and initiative shown by community leaders who have done a great deal to protect and improve water resources. Citizens stepping forward to address local water issues have made an important and positive difference across the state. I applaud their work and encourage all Minnesotans to follow their example of conservation and stewardship." Former Student, Albert Cheh, Professor of Chemistry, American University "I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated both being given the opportunity to work in the Institute building and the support the Freshwater Society gave to my independent project on mutagens in drinking water. The January 1980 paper on the subject in Science magazine remains one of my more significant contributions to the scientific literature over the years. Thank you for your legacy of the Institute building and the Freshwater Society." Bruce Bomier, Institute for Environmental Assessment, Board Chairman "For years Dick worked to create a collection of environmental stories called Passwords that had three profound characteristics. They were technical yet fun to read, they were beautiful- almost like poetry, and most of all they were right on target but decades ahead of their time. It's not often that society gets a poet, a scientist, and a caring visionary in one package and we are a fortunate people to have been given the packaged gift of Dick Gray." Steve Gray, son: "I was brought up with dad being the teacher of my awareness, appreciation, and most importantly my respect for the environment. With the legacies he has provided, let's hope we all will continue to learn to appreciate and respect our surroundings."	The Minnesota Weatherguide Environment^TM Calendar

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