On Thursday, Dec 16 ^th , we lost our most precious father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to a long illness. Richard Ross Raley, more commonly known as Adam, was born in Kewanee, Illinois, on February 2, 1932. He attended St. Bede Catholic Academy boarding school as a child. Adam was ordained as a Benedictine monk at the Catholic Diocese of Peoria St. Bede Abbey after he graduated from high school. He spent many years in Europe between the mid-50's and mid-60's. He spent time in Rome and travelled extensively visiting abbeys throughout Europe. While in Rome he completed his Ph. D. in the areas of Philosophy and Theology. He met his wife Kay in the mid-60's while he was a priest and she was a nun. Leaving the church to get married was very unusual at that time. Because of his position in the Church, Adam was required to petition the Pope himself to be released from the Benedictine Order and Kay had to also leave her Order. They married in 1969 and moved to Spokane in 1970 where Adam began teaching at Eastern Washington State College, now Eastern Washington University. He retired in 1998. Between 1970 and 1998 Adam taught at several other colleges and universities in the Spokane area. After Adam and Kay married, they adopted their beloved daughters, Aimee and Katie, in 1971 and 1972, and became dedicated and loving parents. Adam, along with Kay, continued to live a life of service through teaching, RCIA classes, and prayer groups. People in need were often welcomed into their home. Adam also continued to be an active member of his church which was reflected in his enthusiastic singing and lecturing. He was on the founding board of Hospice of Spokane where he spent his final days. Adam is survived by his two daughters, Aimee and Katie, his two grandchildren, Devin and Jadyn, his sister, Carole Barton, along with a very large group of extended family, friends, colleagues, students, and parishioners. He died anointed in the peace of the Lord.