Prof. Emeritus Bob Loring Passes Away at Age 85

July 16, 2008

July 16, 2008, Greencastle, Ind. - Robert D. Loring, professor emeritus of geography and geology at DePauw University, passed away yesterday in Colorado Springs. Loring, who served on the University's faculty for 41 years, was 85 years old.

Born in the Bronx, New York City on July 8, 1923, Bob Loring enrolled at Ohio University in the fall of 1940. After enlisting in the U.S. Army, which disrupted his education, he graduated from Ohio U. in 1947 and received his masters degree from Indiana University in 1948.

In September of 1948, Loring joined the DePauw faculty and served until his retirement in 1989. At that time, he received a DePauw University citation "in recognition of distinguished services as a teacher, scholar, counselor of youth, and loyal administrator, which have contributed greatly to the cause of higher education and to DePauw University."

During his career, Loring was a member of the Indiana Governor's Commission on Secondary Education; served as a visiting professor at Indiana, Purdue and Case-Western Reserve universities and at University College in Dublin. He was also a visiting scientist for the American Chemical Society and co-directed STEP (Science Training Enrichment Program) for high school students in West Central Indiana. In 1985, Loring was a member of an exchange team in chemical education that traveled to the People's Republic of China, and two years later consulted the U.S. Department of Defense in the use of instrumentation to teach high school laboratory in Munich, Germany.

Loring was published in the Journal of American Chemistry, Science, the Journal of Geography and the Journal of Organic Chemistry, among others. He served on the board of directors of the Indiana Academy of Social Scientists and was a member of the American Chemical Society and Indiana Academy of Science, which he served as treasurer.

In 1997, Professor Loring was made an honorary inductee of the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame by virtue of his long association and service to the athletic programs of the University. He served as a member of the athletic board for 25 years and was its chairman for 23 years. He was faculty representative to the Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference and the Indiana Collegiate Conference. Active in the NCAA, he served as the faculty representative from DePauw to that association for 23 years and was a member of the post-graduate scholarship committee. In 1969, he received the NCAA College Football Centennial Award given to faculty representatives. Loring also operated the football scoreboard clock at Blackstock Stadium for 36 years, was official scorer for home basketball games from 1965-80 and assisted Coach Charlie Erdmann as a volunteer baseball coach. He served as a member of the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame Board of Directors from its inception until his retirement.

Bob Loring was active in Greencastle civic activities, serving as a member of the City Planning Commission for 17 years and a member and chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for 10 years. He served as a deacon and elder of the Greencastle Presbyterian Church for many years.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 19, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1529 N. Circle Drive, Colorado Springs.

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