In Memory of Ray Spring.

Ray F. Spring, 1926 - 2003

Ray F. Spring, Prof. Emertius of Mathematics, died January 15, 2003, at the age of 77. Dr. Spring was born in Cincinnati, attended Walnut Hills High School, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering and received a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Illinois, Champaign. He was a lifetime member of the U.S. Chess Association, an avid coin collector and sang in the choir at Athens First Presbyterian Church. Ray was appointed to the Department of Mathematics at Ohio University in 1955, and retired in 1985 after 30 years of service.

Dr. Spring's major interest was in the undergraduate program. He often taught courses on modern algebra, matrix theory, and linear algebra. He was an exemplary teacher and also served as advisor for exploratory students in the University College. Additionally, he taught in the summer program for high school teachers sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Ray was an avid chess player and for a time served as faculty advisor of the Ohio University Chess Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole, in 1985, but he remained in Athens until 1999 when he moved to Huntsville, AL to be closer to his family. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, David Spring; daughter, JoAnne Hake; and grandchildren Phillip and Brian Hake, Stephanie and Samuel Spring.

The family requests memorials be made to Hospice of Huntsville, 3322 S. Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, Alabama  35801.