Raymond Henry Bateman

Raymond Henry Bateman



Somerville

After a long and productive life of service to the State of New Jersey, Raymond Henry Bateman Sr. passed away peacefully on June 25, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88. Ray was born on October 29, 1927 in Somerville to his dear parents, Lydia Coene and Charles Palmer Bateman Sr. He attended Somerville High School and Wesleyan University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in Government.

In 1946, between high school and college, Ray served in the Army during the occupation of Japan. He later attended the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton. From 1951 through 1954, he was the Associate Editor of Forbes Magazine and served as an assistant to then State Senator Malcolm S. Forbes. Ray served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Republican State Committee from 1954 through 1958.

In 1958, he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 16th District. He became Majority Leader in 1965. In 1967, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate and became the Senate President in 1969. He was also the Acting Governor for a period during that time. In 1977, Ray became the Republican nominee for Governor. One of Ray's proudest accomplishments was the legislation, which he co-authored, establishing New Jersey's county-based community college system. As Senate President, he also chaired a study commission which ultimately established the Delaware and Raritan Canal as a State park, today's most utilized park in New Jersey.

In the 1960's, Ray established Bateman & Associates, which he ran as an advertising and public relations agency in Somerville until it was sold in 1977. In 1978, he started Public Affairs Consultants, a government advisory service for corporate and foundation management, where he continued to work for the remainder of his life.

In 1978, Ray was appointed to the Somerset County College (now Raritan Valley Community College) Board of Trustees as Vice Chairman. Soon after he became the Chairman, serving for 26 years until 2005, when he became a Trustee. During his tenure as Chairman, Ray spearheaded the growth and expansion of Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC). He was instrumental in persuading then-Governor Christine Todd Whitman to increase State funding to community colleges by $48 million. Ray was also co-chair of New Jersey's community colleges "Team for Tomorrow", a committee that advocated for tuition aid grants for community college students, and a $200 million increase in the Chapter XII community college construction and building renovation fund. Ray received national recognition with the Association of Community College Trustees' 2003 M. Dale Ensign Trustee Award for his leadership role in advancing RVCC and community colleges throughout New Jersey. In 2014, honor of his contributions, RVCC dedicated the Ray Bateman Student Center for Student Life and Leadership.

Ray's leadership and dedication also led him, in 1994, to be appointed as Chairman to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority by Governor Christine Todd Whitman. He was also a Visiting Professor at Rutgers University, Government and Business Course, from 1979 through 2000.

Ray had a large following as a columnist for the Courier-News, where he always wrote honestly and fearlessly. His columns ranged from such topics as politics, the environment and Rutgers, to Maine, sports, dogs and family. He also wrote for Forbes newspapers and the Somerset Messenger Gazette.

Above any public or private contribution, Ray's greatest passion was his family. In 1953, he married Joan Speer with whom he had six children. Ray never missed an opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending school concerts, sporting events or simply hosting a family barbecue. He instilled in his family a love for fishing, the great outdoors, games and card playing, at which he was a ruthless competitor. Ray always had a dog by his side, even in the office. Some of his happiest times were spent spring fishing at Moosehead Lake in Maine together with his sons, grandsons and closest friends. He loved his homes in Branchburg, Skytop and in Maine, where he spent his summers, rowing and swimming in Pleasant Pond every day or reading on his deck.

Ray was predeceased by his loving wife, Joan Speer Bateman (March 16, 2003); his son, Raymond Bateman Jr., his daughter, Robin Bateman, and his brother, Charles Palmer Bateman Jr. He is survived by his loving children, Caren Bateman and husband Keith Chanoch, Joananne Coffaro and husband Gavin, Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman and wife Susan, Michael Bateman and wife Alicia, and his daughter-in-law, Robin Bateman, as well as twelve loving grandchildren, Raymond Bateman III, Amy Neumann, Tess Shiau, Chris Bateman, Max Chanoch, Joe Bateman, Stephanie Bateman, Kate Bateman, Logan Bateman, Mackenzie Coffaro, Brooks Bateman, Jake Coffaro, and three dearest great-grandchildren (who loved him dearly), Lily Neumann, Luke Neumann, Abigail Neumann, and one on the way. He is also survived by his friend and companion, Nancy Maulding. Ray improved the lives of all with whom he came in contact, and his absence will be felt by many.

All are invited to attend a memorial service (a celebration of his life) on July 9, 2016 at 10:30 am at the Raritan Valley Community College Theatre, Route 28, Branchburg, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Branch Reformed Church, The Ray Bateman Student Center for Student Life and Leadership at RVCC, or the Pleasant Pond Protective Association.

Funeral arrangements are private under the direction of the Somerville Funeral Home, 10 West End Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876, (908-725-2079).

"ALWAYS AND FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS"