08/26/2026
Today, the MCP family remembers and celebrates the life of Ray Buyle, a former colleague, respected leader, teacher, mentor, and lifelong builder who recently passed away following his courageous battle with ALS.
Ray joined McPherson Contractors, now MCP Group, in 1993 and spent 14 years with our company. During that time, he left his mark on countless people and projects, but perhaps none more recognizable than the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas, where Ray served as Project Manager.
For a proud K-State alumnus, we have to imagine spending that much time building a landmark on the KU campus required a special kind of professional dedication. We like to think Ray made sure it was built exceptionally well because, Wildcat or not, he simply didn’t know how to do things any other way.
But the structures Ray helped build tell only part of his story.
After more than two decades in the construction industry, Ray took his knowledge and experience into the classroom at Kansas State University, where he spent 17 years helping prepare the next generation of construction and engineering professionals. He ultimately became professor and head of the GE Johnson Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science in K State’s Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
In other words, Ray went from building remarkable projects to building remarkable people.
Those of us in construction know that our best work is meant to outlast us. Buildings stand. Lessons get passed down. Relationships continue. And the people we mentor go on to build things we may never get to see.
Ray’s legacy does all of those things.
We are grateful that MCP was part of his story, and even more grateful that Ray was part of ours.
Our thoughts are with Ray’s family, friends, former colleagues, students and the entire K-State community as they remember a man whose influence on the Kansas construction industry will be felt for generations.
Rest well, Ray. Thank you for everything you built. 💜
Full obituary and service information: https://www.ymlfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Raymond-Joseph-Buyle?obId=49378572
