Ral Riss, a 12-year-member of the Board of Regents, died Jan. 3 in Normal, Ill.

Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves called Riss “unflaggingly constructive and reliable.”

Riss served on the Finance and Facilities Committee for the Regents.

“Not one to give speeches or noisily take sides, he made his contributions in a quieter way. He always was willing to take on assignments when asked, offered good common sense counsel and publicly showed his commitment to his universities in a myriad of ways,” Groves said.

Previous to serving on the Regents, Riss had owned his own real estate company and was a president of Normal Development Incorporated. He also served on the Normal city council.

iss attended NIU and Shrivenham American University in England. He joined the Regents in 1981.

Riss is survived by his wife Nita and his two sons.

“Over the years, the Riss family always worked together as a team. Because of this close relationship, we can greatly appreciate their loss at this time,” Groves said.

The Board of Regents governs the operations of NIU, ISU, and Sangamon State University in Springfield. The Board consists of 11 members from throughout the state who are appointed by the governor.