Dr. William B. Barlage, Jr., 1932- 2017 Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering and Associate Dean, he earned his degrees from Leigh University, the University of Virginia and North Carolina State University. He began teaching in 1958 and retired in 1994 as Associate Dean of Engineering. In 1965 he was dissertation advisor for the first student to receive a PhD in the state of South Carolina. Dr. Barlage was interested in flying, railroads and classical music. He sang in the Greenville Chorale for 28 years.
Laverne “Bunny” Christoph, 1930-2017 Professor Emerita of English, she received her Bachelor’s Degree from Lawrence College and her Master’s at Clemson University. She taught both English and Latin at the high school level in Connecticut and South Carolina with her career culminating at Clemson University where she retired. She was an active community member and authored several books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Frank Day, 1932-2017 Professor Emeritus of English, he obtained one graduate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, after serving two years in the U.S. Army as part of the U.S. occupation forces in Austria. In 1960, he was hired as an Assistant Professor of English at Clemson Agricultural College. After receiving a graduate degree from the University of Rochester, Professor Day returned to Clemson as a professor in 1967 and taught until his retirement in 2002. While at Clemson, he served as Director of Clemson University at Greenville Tech as well as department chair. He also won numerous academic awards including Fulbright Lectureships in American Literature where he lectured at several international universities. He wrote numerous publications, including Sir William Empson: An Annotated Bibliography, and A Reader’s Guide to Arthur Koestler. For many years, he was an editor for The South Carolina Review. He frequently contributed book reviews to The Charlotte Observer, The Atlanta Constitution, The Greenville News, and other journals and publications. He was a field editor for 67 publications in Twayne’s United States Authors Series. In addition to teaching at Clemson, in the 1970s Frank worked evenings at The Greenville News as a headline writer. He also enjoyed volunteer work, most notably as a reserve police officer for the Greenville Police Department from 1975 to 1985. In the 1990s, he was a counselor for the S.C. Department of Pardons, Parole and Probation.
Dr. Edwin A. Freeman, 1928-2017 Professor Emeritus of Music, he was an ROTC graduate of Clemson University in Civil Engineering and a graduate of Columbia University and Louisiana State University. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. His musicianship touched the lives of many students and colleagues through his teaching, composing and performing. Over the years he wrote many musical arrangements for the Clemson Tiger Band that are still played regularly for Clemson fans. A lifelong Clemson resident, his father wrote the official fight song for the Clemson Football Team (Tiger Rah) and Dr. Freeman’s arrangement is still played at every home game. In his later years, he enjoyed playing the upright bass in both the CU Orchestra and the Clemson Tiger Jazz Band.
Dr. Villard Stuart Griffin, Jr., 1937-2017 Professor Emeritus of Geology and Department Chair, he received his degrees from the University of Virginia and Michigan State University. He retired from Clemson University in 1994 after 30 years of service. He conducted geological research in the Inner Piedmont Belt of South Carolina under NSF grants with continued support of the SC Geological Survey. He was widely published and was a visiting researcher at the Geological Survey of Finland. He and his wife were founding members of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church (Anderson) and Eternal Shepherd Lutheran Church (Seneca).
Dr. Joseph Langhorne Hammond, 1927-2017 Professor Emeritus of Computer and Electrical Engineering, he received his degree from Georgia Tech. After receiving his degree, he taught electrical engineering and computer science for 30 years at Georgia Tech and 15 years at Clemson University. He co-authored two engineering textbooks and was also a warm, gracious and encouraging professor and mentor, sponsoring a record number of MS and PhD students at both schools. Joe’s grateful students became lifelong friends. His friends and family remember Joe best for both his wry sense of humor and his keen intellect. Joe was a Southern gentleman to the core, kind and gentle to all, with unshakable honesty and integrity. He always chose the higher road and was never boastful, although there was plenty he could boast about. He played tennis for the fun of it, not with a killer instinct, but with humility and good humor.
Dr. John Alex Hash, 1930-2017 Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Education, he earned his BS degree from Virginia Polytechnic University following a four year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of staff sergeant. Dr. Hash’s early career was in teaching vocational agriculture in the Virginia public schools before attending Cornell University where he earned his MS and EdD. He came to Clemson in 1965 and retired in 1992. He was an active member of the community as a volunteer for Clemson Community Care, Habitat for Humanity and past president of the Clemson Lions Club.
Dr. Donal Delose Hook, 1933-2017 Professor Emeritus of Forestry, he was a veteran of the U.S Navy where he served from 1952-1956. He received his PhD. from the University of Georgia and taught at Clemson University and the University of Kentucky as a physiologist in wetlands research and forestry. He enjoyed woodcarving and bird watching.
Dr. Alta Randall Kingman, passed away November 15, 2017 Professor Emerita of Horticulture, she was the the first woman in her field to receive both a Masters and PhD in horticulture and Plant Physiology from Clemson University. During her tenure at Clemson, she was a professor of Plant Materials, Landscape Design and Hortitherapy. She was instrumental in developing one of the first post-graduate programs in Hortitherapy in the United States. Dr. Kingman was considered a legend as the “Home Horticulture Specialist” for the state of South Carolina. She hosted her own radio and television programs as the “Plant Professor” broadcast in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. She used her knowledge and love of Hortitherapy to serve people in nursing homes, mental health facilities, prisons and schools. Dr. Kingman was instrumental in design of the Trail for the Blind at the SC Botanical Garden. While at Clemson, Dr. Kingman also produced significant Humate Research determining beneficial characteristics of seaweed in plant growth. Through her research, she published numerous articles as well as obtained many grants for the University.
Dr. George William Koon, 1942-2017 Department Chair and Professor Emeritus of English, he received his degrees from Newberry College, Auburn University and the University of Georgia. He taught at Clemson University as well as spent a year as a Fulbright Lecturer in Austria. Dr. Koon edited collections of Southern Humor and Civil War stories and wrote a biography of country music star Hank Williams.
John Campbell Martin, passed away March 28, 2017 Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he graduated from Clemson College, completed a Master’s degree at MIT and a PhD from North Carolina State University. Dr. Martin authored many technical papers and a textbook, The Successful Engineer, published by McGraw Hill.
Robert Floyd Mixon, 1932-2017 Professor Emeritus of Languages, he earned his degrees from Clemson University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Professor Mixon was a U.S. Army Veteran and served as a counterintelligence officer in Germany during the height of the Cold War. He was a Spanish professor at Clemson University until his retirement in 1993. He was devoted to his church and Clemson sports, especially baseball.
Dr. Wayne (Roy) Leroy Ogle, passed away May, 2017 Professor Emeritus of Horticulture, he was a World War II veteran and taught plant and environmental sciences at Clemson University. A respected and well-known researcher, Dr. Ogle developed and patented many vegetable varieties including Collossus Peas, Hercules Peas, Clemson Purple Peas, and Cherokee Sweet Potato. In 2016 the Clemson Experimental Station patented and named one of his varieties, the Southern Ogle Pea, after him. He retired in 1987 after 30 years of service to the University.
Mr. Adrian Lewis Padgett, passed away August 21, 2017 Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, he was a veteran of the US Air Force and graduated from Clemson University with a Master’s Degree. He retired from the Clemson Extension Service as a Community Development Specialist.
Dr. Clyde Leonard Parks, 1928-2017 Professor Emeritus of Agronomy and Soils, he earned his degrees from Tennessee Tech, Auburn University and Texas A&M. Dr. Parks was a veteran of the United Stated Air Force. He came to Clemson in 1969 and retired in 1992 after 23 years of service.
Dr. Roger Best Rollin, 1930-2017 Professor Emeritus of English, he earned his PhD from Yale University in 17th Century English Literature. Prior to attending Yale, he served as translator in the Army Security Agency intercepting Soviet military transmissions. In 1975, Roger was offered the position of the William James Lemon Professor of English Literature Chair at Clemson University retiring in 1999. Roger was a celebrated member of the Department of English, a passionate spokesman for social justice including as a Freedom Rider and marching in Selma, AL with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a decorated scholar and a charismatic actor. He had a deserved national reputation as a scholar as the world’s foremost authority on the life and works of Robert Herrick and a storied reputation on campus as an advocate for shared governance. He is recognized for his excellence in the classroom by
having the annual departmental award for best scholarly essay by an undergraduate student named in his honor.
Dr. John D. Spragins, 1934-2017 Professor Emeritus of Computer and Electrical Engineering, he attended Arkansas College (now Lyon College) and completed his BS degree at Oklahoma A & M. He received his MS and PhD from Stanford University. Dr. Spragins dedicated his career to higher education, teaching at several universities prior to coming to Clemson University in 1980 and retiring in 1996. He worked a sabbatical position in England as well as several summer research positions. His textbook was adopted by over eighty universities around the world. He severed on several medical mission trips abroad and was an avid supporter of those in poverty. He was passionate about the environment and conservation efforts and as a 60 year member of the Sierra Club, he hiked many mountains around the world.
Walter S. Walker, passed away August 12, 2017 Professor Emeritus of Poultry Science, he graduated from Clemson University with a commission of Army Second Lieutenant. Mr. Walker also received his master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina. While serving in the Army Infantry in Korea, he received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star with “V” Device for Heroic Action and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. While at Clemson, Mr. Walker was stationed at Sandhill Experiment Station and traveled throughout South Carolina. He retired after 30 years at CU however, continued to support his beloved Clemson Tigers.
Dr. Susan Ulmer Wallace, 1952-2017 Professor Emeritus of Agronomy, Crop and Soil, she received her degrees from University of Alabama and Iowa State University. She came to Clemson University in 1980 teaching and doing research in crop physiology focusing on soybeans and how the crop responded to various management practices. Dr. Wallace was honored by the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences for her teaching talents. Another talent of Dr. Wallace was her ability to relate to farmers and their crop production problems. She was always in demand as a speaker at trainings and crop advisor events. She enjoyed teaching, working with farmers, traveling, kayaking and writing.
Dr. Byron Kenneth Webb, 1934- 2017 Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Engineering, Dean and Department Chair, he retired from Clemson University in 1996. He was the Dean of the Cooperative Extension Service at the University and served in the SC House of Representatives from 1996-2002.
Dr. Clinton Howard Whitehurst Jr., 1928-2017 Professor Emeritus of Management and Economics and Department Chair, at 15 years old he began his long service to his country doing shore patrol in WWII. He also served in the Merchant Marines in WWII, the US Army in the Korean War and the US Naval Intelligence Reserve from 1957-1972. Dr. Whitehurst came to Clemson University in 1960 until his retirement in 1988. He continued to write and contribute works as a Senior Fellow of the Strom Thurmond Institute and the American Enterprise Institute. Over his life he collected numerous awards and accolades, among them the Paul Hall Memorial Award. He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife.
Dr. John Newton Williams II, 1926-2017 Professor Emeritus of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, he received his degrees from Auburn University, Mississippi State University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was a mason and served in the US Army in the Korean War. He was an avid reader, enjoyed travel, fine woodworking, gardening, beekeeping and shaped note singing.
Dr. Gayland Brooks Witherspoon, 1932-2017 Professor Emeritus of Architecture. Gayland was an intelligent and kind man, with a great sense of humor. He will be missed.
