D. Raymond Tourville was born on October 9, 1935, the son of J. Bert and Lydia (Bachand) Tourville. He married Sharon Ann Roberts on May 8, 1965.

Ray received his bachelor’s from Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and earned his master’s and doctorate at Laval University in Quebec, Canada. Ray came to Northern Illinois University in 1962. After several terms as the French and Italian Division director, Ray became chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. He founded the Foreign Language Residence Program and oversaw the creation of the Foreign Language Learning Center. Ray served several terms as president and treasurer of the American Association of Teachers of French and the Illinois Foreign Language Teachers Association. 

Ray served on numerous committees and councils, none of which he was more passionate about than the University Athletic Board. He loved sports, including NIU Huskie basketball and football, and a variety of Chicago sports teams. Ray shared his love of sports with his children by coaching in DeKalb Youth Baseball and AYSO soccer. He was a member of Christ the Teacher Parish where he actively participated as a lector, choir member, and Finance Committee member. Also, Ray enjoyed participation in the Cardiac Rehab group at Kishwaukee Community Hospital.

D. Raymond Tourville of DeKalb, IL, passed away on Friday, April 9, 2004. The Raymond Tourville Foreign Language Teacher Fund was created at the DeKalb County Community Foundation in his memory. The Fund supports the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages to carry out its mission and role.