It is with great sadness we share the news of the passing of M. Ray Kingston, FAIA. Ray is a founding partner of FFKR Architects (he is the K in FFKR) and is remembered for his devotion to the International Style of design. Many who worked with Ray recall his dedication to design, preservation of historic buildings, and the arts. We are grateful for his contributions to both FFKR and the architecture community. He will be missed dearly.

The “K” in FFKR

In 1970, Ray Kingston and Franklin T. Ferguson founded Enteleki Architecture Planning Research. From collaboration on the Bicentennial Center for the Arts in Salt Lake City, which included Symphony Hall, FFKR Architects was founded in 1976 with Robert A. Fowler, Franklin T. Ferguson, M. Ray Kingston, and Edward Joe Ruben as founding principals. Ray retired from the firm in 1995.

From the early work with Enteleki, Ray became the Principal Planner for Snowbird Ski Resort from 1970-1995. Ray’s notable projects include:

• Cliff Lodge Hotel and Snowbird, Utah
• Human Resource Research Center, Utah State University
• Original Block 57 Masterplan, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Cliff Lodge Hotel and Expansion, Remodel, and Conference Center, Snowbird, Utah
• University of Mashad, Planning and Design Consultant to Khazeni & Associates, Architects, Iran
• Alice Sheets Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah
• Jewett Center for the Performing Arts, Westminster College
• Skaggs Alpha Beta Headquarters Building, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Skaggs Telecommunication Services Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Skaggs Alpha Beta Stores (in various states throughout the U.S.)
• Eccles Learning Center, University Inn, and Parking Structure, Utah State University
• Centrum Special Events Center, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
• Student Services Building, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
• Broadway Center Parking Structure, Salt Lake City, Utah

Advocate for The Arts

Throughout Ray’s career, he advocated for the arts and served on several local and national boards. He also petitioned to save historic buildings in Salt Lake City.

• Member, National Council for the Arts, Ad Hoc Committee for Arts Education
• Co-Chairman, Utah Alliance for Arts and Humanities and Education
• Member, R/UDAT Implementation Committee, 1988-91
• Member, National Endowment for the Arts Advisory Council (Presidential Appointment), 1984–92
• Vice Chairman, Technical Committee for the Restoration of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 1988-93
• Chairman, Utah State Fine Arts Council Board (Gubernatorial Appointment), 1985-1987
• Vice Chairman, Snowbird Institute for Arts and Humanities, 1982-present
• Member, National Committee on Arts Education, National Association of State Arts Agencies, 1984
• Member, Salt Lake City Downtown Planning Committee, 1981
• Member, Salt Lake City Mayor’s Task Force for South Temple Urban Redevelopment, 1978-80
• Designer, Utah State Arts Festival, 1977, 1978, 1979
• Executive Committee, Salt Lake City Council for the Arts, 1977
• Board of Trustees, Ballet West, 1976-1978

Honors & Awards

• College of Fellow, American Institute of Architects, 1998

• Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester, Pope John Paul I/Catholic Diocese of SLC, 1993

• Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Utah, 1992

• Urban Systems Award for Block 57, Salt Lake City Planning and Zoning Commission, 1990
• AIA Silver Medal, Henry Adams Fund, University of Arizona, 1963
• AIA Scholarships, University of Arizona, 1961 and 1962
• Academic Scholarship, Colorado College, 1954