Paul Doney Raymond, cofounder of The Northwest School on Capitol Hill, died on Thursday, May 10, of complications from congestive heart failure which had been triggered by a sudden infection.
Mr. Raymond was born on Jan. 3, 1932, and grew up in Kansas. A historian and educator, he had a 50-year high-school teaching career in California and Washington. His formative years during the Depression, his Korean War service and his participation in the civil rights movement, informed his teaching and brought history to life for his students
In 1978, after having taught at Overlake School in Redmond, Mr. Raymond joined colleagues Mark Terry and Ellen Taussig to found The Northwest School, a college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, which opened its doors in 1980. As its first director, he recruited other talented teachers who were equally inspired to create innovative programs, including an integrated humanities curriculum, an inquiry-based science approach, the integration of the arts, environmental stewardship and the practice of "courtesy and common sense" in daily interactions.
In addition to education, Mr. Raymond was passionately devoted to issues of social justice, especially racial equality, equal opportunity and peace. Among other activities, he led student trips to El Salvador to observe elections and to introduce students to countries in which people struggled for a better life.
His vision and inspiration helped shape The Northwest School one of Seattle's leading college-preparatory schools, one which serves as a monument to his commitment to both education and social justice.
A memorial celebration of Mr. Raymond's life will be held June 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Town Hall.
Mr. Raymond is survived by Ellen Taussig, his wife of 28 years; his children John, David, and Ani Raymond, Charles Raymond Katz and Margaret Raymond Bailey; his grandchildren, Katie and Beckie Bailey, Sidney and Sam Katz; and a sister, Elizabeth Raymond Yapp.
Those wishing to honor Paul Raymond may make a donation to the Paul Raymond Endowed Financial Aid Fund at The Northwest School, 1415 Summit Ave., Seattle, 98122, or to the School of the Americas Watch, PO Box 4566, Washington, D.C., 20017.
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