G. Raymond Empson III ’59

Ray died April 29, 2025, in Stamford, Conn. He was 87.

Born in Memphis, Ray came to Princeton from Nichols School, where he played football and basketball, captained the track team and, in 2023, was inducted into the Nichols School Athletic Hall of Fame.

He continued his outstanding athletic career at Princeton, where he ran winter and spring track and played three years of varsity football as a tailback. Dubbed the “Splendid Splinter,” he never weighed more than 148 pounds on the varsity football team. He majored in English literature, was a member of the Keycept Steering Committee, the Honor Committee, and a Chapel deacon. A member of Ivy Club, he served as vice president his senior year when he roomed with Ford, Heyd, and Hubbell.

Following Princeton, Ray attended Harvard Law School. His professional career was multifaceted, beginning in law and culminating in years of public-minded service at nonprofits: president of Keep America Beautiful, chairman of the Arbor Day Foundation, and president of SeriousFun Children’s Network. In his limited spare time, he enjoyed tennis and golf, the occasional jog, and travel, particularly to Sun Valley.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gay; Josh ’94, his son from his first marriage; Rip, his son with Gay; two grandchildren; his brother Walter; and his daughter-in-law.