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Raymond Builter '36: Dartmouth Alumni Award Recipient, 2008-09


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Raymond Builter '36 (right) received the Alumni Award from Garvey Clark '57 at a Dartmouth Club of Sarasota/Manatee event in November 2008.


It was the Depression era, and you had decided not to attend college until a close family friend in your hometown of Bridgeport, CT, encouraged you to apply to Dartmouth College, with the promise of lending you funds to complete your education. A late applicant, you were accepted based on a "certificate of excellence", the result of your impressive high school grades.

We are so fortunate that this friend intervened, as you, Ray Builter '36, have since given back to Dartmouth College every day for more than seventy years!

At Dartmouth you immersed yourself in classroom studies, graduating cum laude with a major in history.Lifelong friendships were made, including that with, Frank Kappler '36, your roommate of four years, who became your alumni sidekick as the two of you eventually spent many hours together on Dartmouth activities.

Returning to Bridgeport upon graduation, you accepted positions with the Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company and then with Remington Arms.World War II was upon us and you served your country as a US Army captain stationed in the Philippines.Although you rushed home after completing your duty, your firstborn, Janice, decided not to wait any longer.She was born two days before your return! Settling down with your family, you launched an impressive financial career handling the books as controller for Columbia Records, the Schaefer Brewing Company and the University of Bridgeport.

Although very busy between work and family obligations, Dartmouth was never far from your thoughts.You recently commented, "I so much appreciated my years at Dartmouth that I wanted to give back as a way of saying thank you."Your lengthy list of volunteer roles for Dartmouth includes serving as local alumni club secretary, book award chair, president and treasurer as well as supporting your class as project officer, reunion treasurer, class agent, president, and reunion chair. In 1974 you were recognized as "Class President of the Year".In addition, you agreed to serve as class treasurer in 1986 on an "interim" basis, and have served in that capacity for the last twenty-two years.

You have been no less involved in your community where you were the chairman of the Bridgeport chapter of the American Red Cross, chair of the Fairfield Public Library Board, treasurer of Woodfield Family Services, director of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the Fairfield Beach Club and an organizer of the very popular Barnum Festival held each year in Bridgeport, CT.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of your wife, Jerri, and your four children, Janice, Dean, Paul and Beth.All who know you realize that your family is your top priority.These days you enjoy spending time with them as well as with your seven extraordinary grandchildren and seven beautiful great-grandchildren!

Ray, in appreciation of your long and devoted service to the College and to your community, it is an honor to present you with the Dartmouth Alumni Award.

John Daukas '84
President
Dartmouth Alumni Council
November 13, 2008