In Memoriam
Our lives have been enriched by the presence of countless faculty, administrators, and staff who dedicated themselves to Austin Peay State University. We wish to honor their memories and the impact they had on countless lives.
APSURA wishes to honor all former faculty, administrators, and staff who have passed away. If we have inadvertently left off a name from the list below, please contact Carlette Hardin at hardinc@apsu.edu with information.
Dr. Elizabeth Ann Glass passed away on February 24, 2024. Dr. Glass retired from the Department of Music.
https://www.nealtarpleyparchman.com/tributes/ElizabethAnne-DavisGlass
Dr. David Kelland Till passed away on February 3, 2024. Dr. Till retired from the Department of Languages
and Literature.
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/tn/clarksville/david-till-17610588
Hazel Irwin, passed away on Tuesday December 5, 2023 at her home in Clarksville, Tennessee. Hazel
retired from Austin Peay after 21 years of service in the accounting department, last
serving as the Director of Business Services.
https://www.nealtarpleyparchman.com/tributes/Hazel-Irwin
Mr. Henry Camp Malone, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023 at Ahava Healthcare in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Henry was a career educator. He joined the Austin Peay State University staff in
1965 and was the Director of Alumni Affairs for 15 years. For the remainder of his
career, he served as Coordinator of Public Service in the College of Education.
https://www.wkdzradio.com/2023/08/02/henry-malone-97-of-guthrie/wireready-obits/
William "Bill" Hardin, passed away on June 29, 2023. He was a coordinator of Audio-Visual Services at Austin
Peay State University.
https://obituaries.mainstreetclarksville.com/obituary/william-hardin-1088532541
Dr. Jimmie Vandergriff passed away on May 4, 2023. He spent 26 years of service to Austin Peay State University
as a professor of math and computer science.
https://everloved.com/life-of/jim-vandergriff/obituary/?fbclid=IwAR2rGY3_f-pq_MP5SWTrBDg594VHlZx1GRPQrI2jzGbWIT5rVI5eH0Fr4io
Dr. Tom Hamel passed away on February 3, 2023. He spent 31 years as a professor of mathematics
and computer science at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansas/name/thomas-hamel-obituary?id=42617059
Dr. Sara Elizabeth Gotcher passed away on January 30, 2023 at Skyline Medical Center. She retired from APSU
after 25 years of teaching in the Department of Speech, Communication, and Theater.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/sara-gotcher-obituary?id=39520798
Bernard Pratt passed away on November 22, 2022 at his home in Belfast, Maine. Known as Ben at
APSU, he was the former director of the Physical Plant.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/bernard-pratt-obituary?id=38268605
Dr. Jill Eichhorn passed October 2, 2022. Dr. Eichhorn was an Associate Professor in Languages and
Literature and Coordinator of the interdisciplinary Women’s and Gender.
https://www.theleafchronicle.com/obituaries/ten239192
Betty Osborne passed away September 1, 2022 in Clarksville, Tennessee. She retired from Austin
Peay State University where she worked in the print shop.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/betty-osborne-obituary?id=36396385
Kenneth Earl Johnson, Sr. of Clarksville, TN, passed away Friday, July 22, 2022 at Vanderbilt University Medical
Center. He worked in the physical plant at Austin Peay State University before his
retirement.
https://www.theleafchronicle.com/obituaries/ten233690
James “Jimmie” R. Vinson passed away Tuesday July 12, 2022 at Tennova Healthcare of Clarksville. He was a
former Industrial Arts teacher at Austin Peay State University.
https://clarksvillenow.com/local/james-jimmie-r-vinson/
Brigadier General (Ret.) Wendell Gilbert passed away on July 8, 2022. While at Austin Peay, Wendell served as Vice President
for Development.
https://www.theleafchronicle.com/obituaries/ten232524
Dr. Charles Wallace Cross, Jr. of Clarksville, TN passed away on July 1, 2022 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Dr.
Cross was employed by APSU since 1987 and was a professor in the Department of History
and Philosophy.
https://www.gatewayfh.com/obituary/charles-cross-jr
Dr. Lori Elliott Buchanan passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at her home in Clarksville. She was a library
professor for 33 years - Professor of Library Administration (1986-2019) and Interim
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (2014-2015) at Austin Peay State University.
She retired in 2019.
https://www.oakesandnichols.com/obituary/lori-elliott-buchanan
Dr. Robert O. Riggs passed away on April 20, 2022. Dr Riggs was President of Austin Peay State University
for 11 years. He then served as Regents Professor in the department of leadership
at the University of Memphis.
https://www.johnsontaylorfuneral.com/obituaries/Robert-O-Riggs?obId=24646511
Sherry Darlene Koontz Howell passed away, March 23, 2022. She was a retired secretary from Austin Peay State University.
https://www.navefuneralhomes.com/memorials/sherry-howell/4884496/index.php
Sandra A. Carter passed away on March 20th, 2022 at the Bridge in Ooltewah, TN. Sandra was the coordinator
of the mathematics lab at Austin Peay State University until she retired in 1999.
https://www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com/obituary/sandra-carter.
Philip Ronald Graham passed away on March 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. He spent 17 years at Austin
Peay State University working in the maintenance department.
https://www.tennessean.com/obituaries/ten222398
Dr. Kenneth L. Grambihler passed away on February 9, 2022, at Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville. Following
his retirement from the Army he taught public management at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.gatewayfh.com/obituary/kenneth-grambihler
Linda Forbus passed away January 16, 2022. Before her retirement, Linda was an administrative
assistant in the College of Education.
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ga/waycross/linda-gale-bennett-14027108
Nell M. Northington Warren passed away January 7, 2022, at Alive Hospice Residence. Nell retired from Austin
Peay State University after serving in several positions.
https://www.theleafchronicle.com/obituaries/
Glinda Ann Cooper Manning passed away October 10, 2021, at Dogwood Bend Assisted Living. She worked at Austin
Peay State University in the Athletic Department.
https://www.theleafchronicle.com/obituaries/ten209241
Gerald Reinhardt Beavers passed away September 25, 2021. He retired as Director of the Austin Peay State Fort Campbell Center.
Dr. Aaron Andrew Hutcheson died September 5, 2021. He joined Austin Peay State University in 1967 as Chairman,
Economics Department and taught at the University for 30 years.
https://www.navefuneralhomes.com/memorials/aaron-hutcheson/4714975/
Dr. Philancy Nobles Holder-Pallen, art historian and Professor Emerita of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, died on September 3, 2021, in her Clarksville, TN home. Dr. Holder taught art history for 20 years at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000402260/
Dr. Arthur Floyd Scott passed away April 25, 2021, from a sudden illness at Sarah Cannon Cancer Center,
Nashville, Tennessee. Floyd was a biology professor at Austin Peay State University
and one of the founding faculty members of the Center of Excellence for Field Biology.
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/20890255/Dr-Floyd-Scott/Clarksville/Tennessee/Neal-tarpley-parchman-Funeral-Home
Herbert Dickson (Dickie) Roake, Jr. passed away April 18, 2021. a groundskeeper at Austin Peay State University for 20
years.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/herbert-roake-obituary?id=6665986
Dr. Eleanor (Nora) H. Beiswenger died March 20, 2021, at home in Webster Groves, Missouri. Nora had retired from
the Department of Languages and Literature.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/nora-beiswenger-obituary?id=5386417
Lewis Bowen Burton died January 15, 2021, following a brief illness. He was an Associate Professor
of Art at Austin Peay State University and retired 1982.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/lewis-burton-obituary?id=7489574
Virginia Quick passed away November 21, 2020. She attended Austin Peay Normal School and was first
employed as a secretary during WWII at Camp Campbell, KY. She retired from APSU after
working for ten years at Emerald Hill Alumni Center.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/virginia-quick-obituary?id=7958814
Bobby Durwood Lee passed away peacefully at home on November 13, 2020. In 1982, Bob accepted the position
of Director of Bands at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, where he
retired in 2003 with the honor of Emeritus status.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/bob-lee-obituary?id=7963481
Dr. Hugh Akerman Jr. passed away November 7, 2020, at Ahava Healthcare of Clarksville. He was a history
professor Austin Peay State University for 28 years.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/hugh-akerman-obituary?id=7957022
Shelby Lynette Byard Taylor, Clarksville, passed away Friday, August 28, 2020 at her residence. Lynette was the
former Director of Student Disability Resource Center at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/18138651/Shelby-Lynette-Byard-Taylor
Jane Corvin Chitwood passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020, at AHC Clarksville. She worked at Austin Peay
State University for 40 years, in several administrative roles.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/jane-chitwood-obituary?id=8587917
Wynella "Mickey" B. Badgett passed away June 1, 2020. Mickey's nursing and education journey touched the lives
of thousands of nurses across the southeast before her retirement from Austin Peay
State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/wynella-badgett-obituary?id=8636096
Devin Sean Hogan passed away May 12, 2020, at his residence. In 2001 he joined the staff of Woodward
Library at Austin Peay State University. At the time of his death, he was their special
collections librarian.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/devin-hogan-obituary?id=8634452
Dr. Peter Hawkins Stoddard, Retired Austin Peay State University Professor passed away Thursday, April 23, 2020.
Dr. Durward Smith Harris passed away March 27, 2020, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He came to
APSC as an assistant professor and remained in various positions for 40 years. He
was department chair for several years and pre-med advisor for 30 years, mentoring
over 50 future physicians through their undergraduate years.
https://obits.masslive.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/durward-harris-obituary?id=8858182
Dr. Larry Keith Lowrance passed away Friday, February 14, 2020, at Tennova Healthcare of Clarksville. Larry
was a retired professor of education at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/larry-lowrance-obituary?id=8934130
Charles Henry Hood passed away February 5, 2020.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/charles-hood-obituary?id=8938198
Colonel James Davis Hallums (Ret) passed away at his home in Clarksville, Tennessee, on December 26, 2019. After retiring
from the Army, Jim taught at Clarksville Academy and Austin Peay State University.
https://www.navefuneralhomes.com/memorials/Hallums+%28Ret%29-Colonel+James/4063919/
Inga Anna Filippo passed away, August 17, 2019, at her residence. Inga was Professor Emerita at Austin
Peay State University, where she a librarian and the coordinator for Swedish study
abroad.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/inga-filippo-obituary?id=9373822
Dr. John Daniel Martin, age 95, passed away June 9, 2019, while at home at Arcadia Senior Living. Dr. Martin taught psychology for 30 years at Austin Peay State University. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/john-martin-obituary?id=9684228
Dr. Richard C. Yarbro passed away on May 9, 2019, at Palmyra Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Before
his retirement, he was a professor in the College of Education at Austin Peay State
University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/richard-yarbro-obituary?id=9761913
Max Hochstetler passed away on March 30, 2019 while at his home in Clarksville. Max was a retired
art professor from Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/max-hochstetler-obituary?id=9833441
Dr. Albert “A.J.” Taylor, passed away March 20, 2019, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was a professor
at Austin Peay State University’s College of Business for twenty-eight years the former
men’s golf coach.
https://clarksvillenow.com/local/albert-a-j-taylor/
Dr. Jim Clemmer passed away on December 24, 2018. Jim retired as a Professor of English after teaching at APSU for 35 years. He served as one of the founding members of APSURA and as president for the organization.
Dr. Albert B. Randall passed away on October 7, 2018. Dr Randall was a retired professor of philosophy
and taught for over 40 years at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/tn/clarksville/albert-b-randall-8139352
Virgial Joyce Roberts passed away on Wednesday September 26, 2018, in Alive Hospice, Nashville. She had
been employed with Austin Peay in the campus police department as well as in Records
and Registration.
https://www.whitingsfuneralhome.com/obituary/virgial-roberts
James Wade Evans, Jr. passed away September 14, 2018.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/james-evans-obituary?id=7878485
Dr. Ruth Dennis passed away on May 26, 2018. She was a Professor, the Chair of Department of Sociology and also the Director of African American Cultural Center at Austin Peay State University
Margaret Sexton Summer passed away Feb 8, 2018. Before her retirement, Margaret was the Director of the
Learning Resource Center at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/margaret-sumner-obituary?pid=188149001
Joel Eugene Thomas passed away November 11, 2017, in Harvey, LA. He was a Tech Director at Austin Peay
State University and a retired US Army veteran.
https://clarksvillenow.com/local/joel-eugene-thomas/
Dr. Donald Burton Lambert passed away on September 22. 2017 at his residence. After completing his EdD at
Auburn in 1968, he relocated to Clarksville, TN to work at Austin Peay State University
where he was appointed Professor and in 1980, Chair of the Department of Education
until his retirement in 1993.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/donald-lambert-obituary?id=16648305
Olen Bryant, age 90, passed away July 11, 2017 at Oak Hill Assisted Living. Mr. Bryant retired
from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tn, where he was a Professor Emeritus
of Art from 1963 to 1991.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/olen-bryant-obituary?id=16831122
Norma Jean Hand Smith passed away May 27, 2017, at St. Thomas West Hospital. She retired from Austin Peay
State University, after 36 years, where she spent most of her time in the music department
as their beloved secretary.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/norma-smith-obituary?id=16953626
Dr. Gaines Cullom Hunt passed away May 12, 2017. Dr. Hunt was retired from Austin Peay State University
serving as Professor and Chair of Agriculture, Assistant Vice President for Academic
Affairs, Dean of Graduate Studies and Director of Fort Campbell Programs, Interim
Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Dean of College of Science and Mathematics.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/gaines-hunt-obituary?pid=185381758
Dr. Garland Eugene Blair passed away February 11, 2017, at his residence. He came to Austin Peay State University
in 1968 as a psychology professor and was chair of the department for many years.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/garland-blair-obituary?id=17234528
Dr. Charles Nelson Boehms died February 1, 2017. Charlie went on to inspire hundreds/thousands of college students
while teaching and working in the administration of Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/charles-boehms-obituary?id=11972241
Dr. Joyce Jarrett Hargrove passed away on January 25, 2017. Before her retirement, Dr. Hargrove was the chair
of the Department of Social Work at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.robertsoncountyfuneralhome.com/obituary/Joyce-Hargrove
Dr. Thomas P. Dixon passed away on July 7, 2016, at Vanderbilt Medical Center. After receiving his Ph.D.
from Vanderbilt University Professor Dixon taught history at Austin Peay State University
for 45 years.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/thomas-dixon-obituary?id=17788555
Dr. Donald "Don" Dean Luck passed away June 22, 2016, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville,
TN. Don was a Professor of Education at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/2028685/Dr-Donald-Dean-Luck
Dr. Harvey F. Blanck, died May 7, 2016. He was a retired Austin Peay State University chemistry professor.
https://www.nealtarpleyparchman.com/obituaries/Harvey-Blanck/
Dr. Preston J. Hubbard, died February 17, 2016 at Diversacare of Smyrna. He taught history at Austin Peay
State University for thirty-three years.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tennessean/name/preston-hubbard-obituary?id=10354749
Dr. Thayer Wilson Beach passed away April 25, 2015, at her residence. Dr. Beach retired the Department
of Languages and Literature at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/thayer-beach-obituary?id=18672903
Dr. Ernest L. Woodward passed away April 5, 2015, at his residence. Ernie taught mathematics at Austin
Peay State University until he retired in 1996.
https://clarksvillenow.com/local/ernest-l-woodward/
James Thomas Stack passed away February, 25, 2015 at Walking Horse Meadows. He taught mathematics
at Austin Peay State University for 35 years.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tennessean/name/james-stack-obituary?id=18793239
Dr. Lewis Paul Hyatt, Sr. passed away on February 24, 2015 in Henrico, VA. He was Professor Emeritus at Austin
Peay State University where he taught American History and all the social sciences
for 39 years, retiring in 1986.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62111621/lewis-paul-hyatt
Betty Joe Wallace of Big Rock, TN, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2014 at her residence. Ms. Wallace was a professor of History at Austin Peay State University and retired in 2008.
Dr. Wayne E. Stamper died Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at his home. His professional career included both
teaching and administrative positions at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/wayne-stamper-obituary?id=19757100
Dr. Melburn Ross Mayfield passed away Friday, September 20, 2013 at Gateway Medical Center. In 1957, he founded
the Physics Department at Austin Peay State University. He also served as the University
as Vice President for Development and Field Services and Executive Director for University
Advancement.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/melburn-mayfield-obituary?id=19937093
Jose H. Feliciano passed away March 29, 2013 at Gateway Medical Center. He was a retired plumber at
Austin Peay State University.
https://www.navefuneralhomes.com/memorials/Feliciano-Jose/1532868/obituary.php
Rachel Corlew Tate died on March 12, 2013, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She retired from
Austin Peay State University after serving in several positions.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/rachel-tate-obituary?id=20424349
Dr. Edward Eugene Irwin died January 16, 2013, at Spring Meadows Healthcare. Ed was a retired APSU Professor
of Language and Literature and Professor Emeritus.
https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/121031
Dr. William Glenn Stokes of Austin, TX, died Sunday, September 16, 2012 at his home. In 1960, he took a position as Professor and Chair of the Mathematics Department at Austin Peay State University, where he served until his retirement in 1985. In August 2012, he was honored at the groundbreaking of a new Mathematics Building at Austin Peay, where a classroom in the new building will bear his name. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/william-stokes-obituary?id=20975853
Dr. James Xavier Corgan, Jr., of Woodstock, Trenton, KY, died on August 20, 2012, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville,
TN. n 1968, he accepted a position to teach geology and as Chairman of the Geology
Department at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/113899
Dr. Charles Clinton Holt passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. He began teaching American literature at
Austin Peay in 1968, a position he held until he retired in 1993 with professor emeritus
status.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/charles-holt-obituary?id=21389964
Dr. Roy Lee Baker passed away April 23, 2012 at Gateway Medical Center.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/roy-baker-obituary?id=21390026
Dr. Billy "Joe" Brown passed away March 24, 2012, at his home in Clarksville. He retired after serving
as Chair of Health and Human Performance.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/billy-brown-obituary?id=21477565
Erle Wendell Coppedge died Tuesday, March 13, 2012. He was vice president of business affairs at Austin
Peay State University.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86934814/erle-wendell-coppedge
Dr. Lewis C. Tatham, Jr., age 87, died at his home in Edgewater, FL on Monday, January 30, 2012. Dr. Tatham
was a professor of English, and chairman of the Department of Languages and Literature
at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/lewis-tatham-obituary?id=21622986
Lt. Loris Linda Ellsworth passed away January 18, 2012 at her home. She retired with thirty years service from
APSU campus police.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/loris-ellsworth-obituary?pid=155568008
Dr. Dolores Gore died November 2011. She was a professor in the College of Education from 1981 until
retirement in 2005.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thesouthern/name/dolores-gore-obituary?id=9358606
Mary Emma Windham died December 5, 2010, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville. Center,
Nashville. Mrs. Windham was a retired Registered Nurse and was instrumental in the
organization of the Associates degree program at Austin Peay in 1969.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tennessean/name/mary-windham-obituary?id=22812158
Dr. Allan `Al` Silvio Williams died February 23, 2010, at Gateway Medical Center. He retired from Austin Peay State
University in August 2005 as a professor in the College of Education.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theleafchronicle/name/allan-williams-obituary?id=23577545
Dr. J F Burney died November 3, 2009, at his home. Dr. Burney joined the faculty of the College
of Business at Austin Peay State University in 1959 and retired in 1994.
https://www.currentobituary.com/obit/70806
Dr. Harry Lynwood McLeod died Monday, February 18, 2008, at his residence. For twenty years he was Professor
of Chemistry at Austin Peay State University. For seventeen of those years, he was
chairman of the Chemistry Department.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82270707/harry-lynwood-mcleod
Dr. Elizabeth Hendon Stokes died Saturday, December 11, 2004 in Austin Texas. In 1960, she joined the Austin
Peay State University faculty, where she served until her retirement in 1985, as Professor
of Psychology.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/statesman/name/elizabeth-stokes-obituary?id=27650417
Richard Edgar Gannaway passed away November 30, 2002. He retired as a professor of industrial technology
at Austin Peay State University.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28793712/richard-edgar-gannaway
Dr. Robert Crews died at his home December 21, 1999. Dr. Crews moved to Austin Peay in 1981 to become Program Director of the Medical Technology program and retired seventeen years later.
Dr. Herman Leon Bibb passed away January 18, 1998. He was professor and chair of Industrial Arts from
1952 to 1980 at Austin Peay State University.
https://letsgopeay.com/honors/hall-of-fame/leon-bibb/28
Leon Milton Sandifer passed away March 24, 1997. Mr. Sandifer was an associate professor of health and
physical education at the time of his retirement from Austin Peay State University
in 1983.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139574666/leon-milton-sandiferobituary