We are sad to learn that Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser passed away September 5 following a farm accident. He was always so friendly and it was fun to talk with him over the years. He was a former Iowa Soybean Association and American Soybean Association president and was just shy of turning 74 years old on September 14.

Ray was an advocate for conservation and strong trade relationships and was well known in the agricultural community. An outpouring of sympathy was posted on his Facebook page Saturday within minutes of the first news of his passing. Media outlets DTN and Agri-Pulse paid tribute in stories about him and reaction to his passing.

Like many in the farm media, we interviewed Ray on several occasions over the years. Here is one from back in March 2018 at Commodity Classic when he received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Soybean Association and was running for Iowa agriculture secretary.

Listen to that interview here: Interview with Ray Gaesser, Iowa farmer

Mass of Christian Burial for Ray Gaesser, 73, of the Corning/Lenox area will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lenox. Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, 2026 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church Parish Center from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund OR The Ray Gaesser Choir Scholarship Fund.