COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Ray Altman, an Owings Mills, MD native and former Maryland men's lacrosse standout, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12th. He is survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Janice, his devoted children Matthew (Sherry) Altman, Samuel Altman, and Lauren (Dave) Sommer, his adoring grandchildren Skylar, Toby, and Summer Altman, Ben, Dylan, Gemma, and Piper Sommer, and his sister Etta Rosen.

Altman was born on April 6, 1941 in Baltimore. From humble roots, Ray built a rich and fulfilling life, fueled by grit, integrity, natural talent, sense of humor, kindness, and charisma. In the most modest, soft spoken and selfless of ways, Ray served as a role model and leader to many. He was relied upon as an honest, ethical, and trusted advisor, both professionally and personally, by his clients and friends.

Ray attended the University of Maryland where he was elected President of the student body and was a star on the lacrosse field. Altman was an attackman for the Terps from 1961-63, earning two All-American honors and receiving the Jack Turnbull Award as the nation's top attackman during his senior season. He was Maryland's program record holder for points (214) and assists (146) in a career when he graduated. Altman holds the record for assists and ranks sixth in points to this day despite only playing three years in an era with much shorter seasons

Altman went on to work as a lawyer in the Baltimore area for 57 years. 

In 2000, he was inducted into the Greater Baltimore Chapter of US Lacrosse Hall of Fame. In 2003, Ray was inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, and in 2024, the University established the Raymond F. Altman Endowed Scholarship to support men's lacrosse student-athlete scholarships in Ray's honor. A similar scholarship was also established at Ray's high school alma mater, Baltimore City College, where he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on November 1, 2024.

Altman was diagnosed with Leukemia in the early spring of 2023 and battled hard, even making it to a men's lacrosse home game during the 2024 season.

Contributions in his memory may be sent to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries of the Year, Team CancerFreeFuture (co-led by Toby Altman), the University of Maryland Raymond F. Altman Endowed Scholarship for Intercollegiate Athletics or the City College of Baltimore Raymond F. Altman Scholarship Fund, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 501, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.

Read more about Altman's story here.