DePauw's Beloved Dean Robert Farber '35 "Roasted" at Charity Fundraiser

March 10, 2005

March 10, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - "Dean Robert H. Farber, a good sport to the last, endured and enjoyed two hours of stories, songs, and letters celebrating and defaming his name to benefit the Putnam County Museum," writes Greencastle's Banner-Graphic of a Saturday night fundraiser. Farber, vice president emeritus and professor emeritus of education at DePauw as well as a 1935 graduate of the University, was roasted at Walden Inn. "The second annual Roast-A-Relic event raised more than $4,000 for the museum. Two generous gifts came from Bob and Vera May Farber ['36] and John and Rea Zeiner," the newspaper notes.

"Several community members, from current DePauw President Bob Bottoms to Barb Silander, shared stories and a few tall tales about their time with Dean Farber," the article continues. Dave Bohmer '69, director of the Eugene S. Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media, served as master of ceremonies and helped organize the occasion. "Bohmer also read from letters and e-mail from friends who could not make it to the event. The former dean himself closed the evening with the story of how he and the rest of the DePauw administration were duped into revealing the location of the Monon Bell by students masquerading as good will ambassadors from Spain."

Read the complete story at the newspaper's Web site.

Bob Farber served as a University administrator for 42 years, working with five presidents, before retiring as vice president and dean of the University in 1979. In 1962, following President Russell Humbert's death, Farber served as chief executive officer and was acting president in 1976-77 prior to President Richard Rosser's appointment. Dean Farber was honored with a tribute at DePauw's Alumni Reunion Celebration on June 12, 2004.

Access an article which includes two video clips of Farber by clicking here.

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