Raymond Christy Firestone ’33

Ray Firestone died Sept. 9, 1994, of heart failure. He was 86. Ray grew up in Akron, Ohio, and prepared for Princeton at Hill School and at Hun. At college he was a star polo player and captained the team in his junior and senior years. He was a member of Cottage Club.

After college Ray joined the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., the family business. Except for the period from 1942-44, when he served as a pilot in the Air Transport Corps of the Army, he spent his entire business career with that company. He began by pumping gas at a L.A. store and served as president from 1957-64, chief executive officer from 1963-73 and chairman of the board from 1966-76.

The university's Firestone Library stands as a monument to the generosity of the Firestone family. Ray's major role was recognized when the new skylit reading room was named for him and for his brother Leonard '31. His many contributions to the university were but a part of a lifelong practice of philanthropy, of generously supporting worthy causes and activities.

Ray is survived by his wife, Jane, daughters, Christy An Gordon-Creed and Judith An Thiell, a stepdaughter Eleanor Hunter, six grandchildren, and by his brother, Leonard.

The Class of 1933