Ray August Memorial Set for Sept. 24 at WSU

PULLMAN, Wash — A memorial service celebrating the life of Ray August – academic innovator, and renowned researcher, publisher and professor – will be held Friday, Sept. 24, at 4 p.m. in Todd Hall Auditorium at the Washington State University campus in Pullman. A reception will follow in the Todd Hall atrium.

August died in the early morning of Aug. 30 of natural causes. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Diana Pace.

He joined WSU in 1980 as a business law professor. During his 24 years at the university, he received numerous teaching honors and awards. Last spring he was recognized for his contributions to the College of Business and Economics with an “Outstanding Faculty Award for Service” and is credited with having written the new college-wide diversity guidelines.

During his career he became an expert on cyber law. His research interests included international and comparative law, intellectual property law and legal history. Most recently he was involved in several projects with the International Business Institute.

August earned a doctorate in American legal history at the University of Idaho, a juris doctorate at the University of Texas, Austin, and a master’s degree in international law at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Microphones will be available during the service for those who wish to share stories about August. Guests will also be able to write special remembrances for the family.

In his memory, the Ray S. August and Diana Pace Fund has been established in the WSU College of Business and Economics.