Gordon MacKay Ambach of New Haven, CT, died peacefully at home on Friday, May 25.

He was a warm and inspiring leader who took an interest in everyone he met. Through his long career in education policy and administration, he led initiatives at the state, national and international levels to strengthen teaching and learning and ensure access to high quality education for all. As Commissioner of Education for New York State from 1977-1987, he oversaw the development and implementation of the Regents Action Plan, the most comprehensive school reform plan in the nation at the time. He continued his advocacy for education and for the arts as the Executive Director of the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, DC from 1987-2001 and as the US Representative to the International Educational Evaluation Association. In retirement, he was a dedicated board member of the Wallace Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Born in 1934 in Providence, RI to Russell and Ethel Ambach, Gordon received a BA from Yale in 1956 and a MAT and Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration from Harvard. He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Lucy Emory Ambach, his three children and their spouses, Kenneth and Eileen Ambach, Alison and Christopher Illick, and Douglas and Kirsten Ambach, and 10 adored grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, New Haven on Saturday, June 16 at 10:30 am. Memorial gifts can be made to the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, 4 Hamilton Street, New Haven, CT 06511, or to Yale University, Office of Development, PO Box 2038, New Haven, CT 06521, for undergraduate financial aid.