From FFA to PBK to IRA

By Maria Manning Armstrong

"When I left the February snows of Detroit and landed at the Charlotte airport under a Carolina Blue sky, I knew from the first moment our move was right," said Dr. Bob Spuller, recalling his trip to Hickory three decades ago.

A Future Farmer of America who became a Phi Beta Kappa, Spuller grew up on a small farm in Rush County, Ind., helping his county extension agent father raise livestock and crops. As a boy, he met his future wife Alice when he bought his first calf from her father.

Spuller went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with highest distinction and a master’s in agricultural education from Purdue University. He also has a master’s in biology and a doctorate in zoology from the University of Michigan.

Spuller said he chose to work at a small college like L-R due to its emphasis on teaching. He taught vocational agriculture for several years in Indiana public schools, prior to completion of his doctoral work at Michigan, then came to L-R where he was a member of the biology department faculty full-time for 10 years before he moved on to assume a variety of jobs at the administrative level. These positions include chairman of the biology department, chair of the division of natural sciences and mathematics, director of the college’s summer program for three years and director of lifelong education prior to becoming vice president and dean of academic affairs in 1983.

However, it’s the classroom that is near and dear to his heart. "I really value the years I spent teaching in the biology department," he said. "It was wonderful to have been able to play a part in the educational development of so many fine students and to see them go on to, and excel, in their jobs and in graduate and professional programs.

"It’s also a thrill to see some of the students I taught send their children here. It makes me feel good." He added with a smile, "It makes me feel old too, but I’m hopeful that perhaps I contributed to the next generation coming to L-R."

"It will be impossible ever to calculate the tremendous positive impact Bob Spuller has had on this college," commented Dr. Ryan LaHurd, president. "His legacy lies in the high quality of academic programs, our firm commitment to excellence in teaching and our student-centeredness."

During his tenure at the college, Spuller has seen academic growth that, even as vice president and dean of academic affairs, he won’t take credit for. "I hope I’ve facilitated the progress and development of new programs and helped broaden the base of students that L-R is now attracting," he said. "As I look back over my years as dean, I’m very proud of the fact that in 1988 L-R was designated as one of the 10 best private college work places in the country by the Council of Independent Colleges."

He admits it will be very difficult to leave, but said he looks forward to the infusion of new ideas that the new dean will bring by using his or her own strengths to carry the school forward.

"L-R is home to us," Spuller said. He and his wife Alice attend many school-sponsored functions. "I hope they’ll still let us come back," he says with a grin. "It’s in my blood. And now that I’ll be retired, we hope to attend even more events, especially convocations and basketball games."

Spuller added, "Having a college in the community where you live is a great source of culture. Now I’ll be able to enjoy these events in a different role, solely as a spectator."

In retirement, Spuller won’t be leaving the field of education entirely. Through Alice’s work as librarian at Longview Elementary, the Spullers want to become involved with a volunteer corps of tutors led by Ed Rogers L-R ’49 retired UNC – Charlotte economics professor. Many of the students at Longview are from single-parent homes whom Spuller has observed need an adult to be just a friend, or even a surrogate father figure. "As an educator, I’ll be able to stay connected, but at a much different level, and where there is such need."

Other retirement plans include working through the stack of non-biology and non-educational books that he says have been piling up in his den. The Spullers hope to travel, but not any time soon, for a second grandchild was expected in May.

"Living in the same town with our grandkids is such a joy. It’s an opportunity my parents didn’t have," he said with a tinge of regret. The expectant parents, son Peter and wife Ann Marie, live in Hickory and have a son Nicholas. Their other son John and his wife Maria live in Winston-Salem, where he plays in many musical events that the Spullers enjoy attending.

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