A Life of Service, Friendship, and Lasting Impact
With deep sadness, Rotary District 6080 mourns the passing of Past District Governor Raymond E. Plue, a devoted Rotarian, generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation, and my dear friend and mentor.
Raymond joined Rotary in 1968, beginning a lifetime of service that crossed communities, countries, and continents. Through his membership in clubs in Wisconsin, Georgia, Australia, Arkansas, and Missouri, he built friendships and strengthened the international fellowship that makes Rotary so meaningful. Here in District 6080, we were fortunate to share in his leadership and his commitment to helping others.
A member and past president of the Rotary Club of Columbia South, Raymond served as District Governor in 2010–2011. His service also included leadership as District Rotary Foundation Chair and Dean of the District’s Rotary Leadership Academy. He helped prepare club and district leaders, guided clubs through changes to Rotary’s grant model, and encouraged Rotarians to turn their commitment into action.
Raymond was a proud and generous supporter of The Rotary Foundation. He and his wife, Vickie, became Major Donors and established the Dr. Raymond E. and Vickie L. Plue Endowment. His commitment to giving extended to recognizing family members, fellow Rotarians, and international friends as Paul Harris Fellows. He understood that supporting the Foundation could create opportunities and improve lives far beyond his own community.
His dedication to Rotary’s mission was also personal and hands-on. Raymond led international exchanges and participated in polio immunization efforts in India, helping protect children from a preventable disease. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award in 2013 and was also a recipient of The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award. These honors reflected a lifetime of putting others first.
An avid lifelong motorcyclist, Raymond brought together his love of riding and his love of Rotary through the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians. As a past president of its North American chapter and an organizer of international rides, he helped build friendships across borders, one shared journey at a time.
Professionally, Raymond’s career in veterinary medicine included work in clinical pathology, research, and university teaching. He and Vickie also established an annual outstanding teaching award at Purdue University, extending their support to the education of future veterinarians.
For me, this loss is deeply personal. Raymond was a friend and mentor whose guidance and example meant so much to me. I am grateful for his place in my Rotary journey and for the lasting influence he had on my understanding of service and leadership.
On behalf of Rotary District 6080, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Vickie, Raymond’s family, and his many friends around the world.
Raymond leaves a legacy in the leaders he mentored, the friendships he nurtured, and the lives he helped improve. We will miss him dearly and honor his memory by continuing the work he cared about so deeply.
Brad Martens
District Governor, 2026–2027
Rotary District 6080