Remembering Iowa ag leader Ray Gaesser

September 10, 2026 | Bethany Baratta

Those in Ray Gaesser’s orbit knew him by his patient demeanor, the easy way he invited others into conversations, and a smile that radiated right through the phone line.

Others remember his optimistic overture, his calm—but firm—presence on Capitol Hill, and the way he showed up as a leader and a friend.

Ray Gaesser fell in love with Iowa in 1974 when he traveled from Indiana to visit the Farm Progress Show near Webster City. So much so, that he and his wife, Elaine, native Indianians, made it their home just four years later. They settled near Corning, where they raised their son, Chris and daughter, Jennifer.

Gaesser—who would have turned 74 next week—died as the result of a farm accident on September 5. The news sent shockwaves through the agriculture community.

He served in multiple roles for the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board, including treasurer, vice chairman and chairman. When the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board and the Iowa Soybean Association moved to a unified board, Ray was a district director and later president of the association in 2006. He served as the president of the American Soybean Association in 2014.

“The Iowa Soybean Association and all of Iowa agriculture is in shock over the news of Ray’s passing. Although he died doing what he loved to do, working on the farm and most likely with a smile on his face, Ray was one of the great ones. A passionate, yet humble leader, he could always see a positive path forward as he faced any challenge. He encouraged everyone around him to do better and be better. He was a mentor and a great friend, and he will be missed by us all. As the Bible teaches, to everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven. Rest in peace my dear friend.”

-Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association CEO

He was named an Iowa Master Farmer in 2012, recognized with Adams County and Iowa conservation awards, heralded as a Lenox Iowa Good Citizen Award recipient, and named an American Soybean Distinguished Leader in 2018. He served on several boards, including the North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance, Solutions from the Land, Iowa Economic Development Agriculture Advisory Board, Iowa Conservative Energy Forum and International Soybean Growers Alliance, among others. He was serving as an Iowa Department of Transportation Commissioner at the time of his passing.

“Ray approached every situation with a positive, upbeat attitude. Agriculture will miss his wise, thoughtful perspective. His quiet, insightful leadership style was an asset to the organizations he was a part of.”

-Brian Kemp, past ISA and ASA president

Ray took over the daily farming duties on his family’s farm in Indiana after his father’s passing when Ray was 15 years old. Upon planting roots in Iowa, Ray and Elaine grew their own farm, where conservation practices are paramount. The farm has been 100% no-till since 1992. Cover crops are common practice, as are research plots with their son, Chris, to “ground truth” products and practices that give their crops a growing advantage.

“I have known Ray for my entire 24-year career at the Iowa Soybean Association. In all that time, Ray has been a champion for conservation, not because it was the popular thing to do in the early days, but because he believed it was the right thing to do. I admired Ray for that and turned to him many times for guidance. He always led by example – on his farm, in agriculture, and every organization he served. Ray understood that stewardship is about more than protecting soil and water today, but that it’s about creating opportunities for the farmers and generations that come next. His greatest legacy will be the countless people he has encouraged to think differently, work together, and leave the land better than they found it. I remember sitting in the tower he built that overlooks his farm, having conversations on conservation. Those memories will last through my career. Thoughts and prayers to the Gaesser family.”

-Todd Sutphin, ISA Conservation Services and Programs Lead

Guided by his Catholic faith, Ray saw farming as his calling in life.

“I don’t see farming as an occupation, but as a vocation,” Ray told a podcast host recently. The field and the farm suited his passions better than a desk in a building ever could, he said.

“Ray was a passionate advocate for Iowa farmers, a champion for biofuels like biodiesel, and a leader who helped build strong trade relationships with global customers of U.S. soy. He was one of agriculture's most respected leaders, serving as president of both the Iowa Soybean Association and the American Soybean Association. Beyond his many accomplishments, I'll remember Ray as a mentor, a friend, a person whose faith in God guided his life, and a devoted family man. He generously shared his time and wisdom with others, and his leadership reflected humility, integrity, and service. His impact on agriculture will be lasting, but so will the example he set for those of us fortunate enough to know him. I will miss him and am praying for the entire Gaesser family.”

-Grant Kimberley, ISA Senior Director of Market Development

On a vacation with a fellow soybean leader-turned-friend, Ron Heck recalled Ray’s zest for life.

“We were standing on a wood scaffold above the violent Iguazu Falls in Brazil, with a 200-foot drop below us and the mist blowing in his face and his arms outstretched. He turned and said, “This is the best place in the world.” Think the movie “Titanic” before it was made. Ray did it first, only he didn't declare himself King, he did what he always did: Enjoy the moment and then shared it with me,” he says. “Ray's enthusiasm for life, family, and agriculture enriched the lives of everyone he met. We will miss him.”

Services for Ray will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox, Iowa, with visitation on Friday, Sept. 18, and the funeral service on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Full details and options to leave condolences for the family are available here.

Written by Bethany Baratta.

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