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THE TELEGRAPHWilbur R.L. TrimpeMORRISON - Wilbur Richard Louis Trimpe, 89, died Monday, April 15, 1996, ip Morrison.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with Bethalto Masonic Lodge No. 406 AFAM rites at 7 p.m., at Eli-as-Smith Funeral Home in Bethalto, where ftineral services will be conducted at 10 a m. Friday.Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.A memorial has been established to the Wanita and Wilbur Trimpe Community College Scholarship Fund.Mr. Trimpe was born June 10, 1906, the son of the late Carl and Katherine (Leithoff) Trimpe.He married Wanita Elizabeth Schilling on July 24,1926. She died Oct 17,1994. He also was preceded in death by one sister, twin brothers, and one sort, David.Surviving is one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Dale W. and Mary Ann Trimpe of Morrison; two grandchildren, Dale “Skip” Wilbur Trimpe II, and Elizabeth “Libby” (Trimpe) Lewis; and onegreat-grandchild, Mary Elizabeth Lewis.Mr. Trimpe was reared in the rural arqa of Mason County; He was awarded a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, and did advanced work toward a doctorate degree at the University of Colorado and Southern Illi-ftdis University.J He was a rural schoolteacher in Mason County; elementa-rT principal, teacher and coach in Forest City and Mani-to; and in 1932 became superintendent of schools in Havana, 111. He later served assuperintendent of CommunityUnit No. 8 schools in Bethalto. (In 1959 the Wilbur Trimpe Junior High in Bethalto was dedicated in his honor). He served as county superintendent and regional superintendent of schools in Madison County from 1959-1973; president of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey from 1973-1983; and interim provost of Belleville Area College in Granite City, as well as teaching and administrative duties at Western Illinois University, Shurtleff College,tyeKendree College and Bradley University.t While serving as president of Lewis and Clark College, Hr. Trimpe was awarded an honorary doctor of public service degree from Blackburn College in Cariinviiie, and in 1979 the vocational technical building at Lewis and Clark College was dedicated and tfemed the “Trimpe Vocational-Technical Building.” Most recently, Dr. Trimpe estab-fshed “The Trimpe Family Memorial Scholarship Fund” to be awarded to a worthy high school senior to attend Lewis and Clark Community. College *o Godfrey.During his tenure as superintendent of the Educational service Region, Madison bounty, he pioneered theestablishment and development of a system of statewide community colleges to serve the needs of the public in nigher education. He also minted with then-state Rep. £aul Simon the statewide General Education Development . Testing Program so veryone had an opportunity°t getting a high school certificate..Dr. Trimpe, whom an Illinois newspaper called “Mr.^oucation in Southern lilt-now, ’ served the cause of education for more than 60 years as teacher, principal, superintendent, regional superintendent and college president insouthern Illinois. His dedica-ion to education is evident in s statements such as, “Eduction is for everyone, from jje cradle to the grave,” and m? never stop learning.” v 2 , Honorable Sam M. vadalabene said of Dr.r,r ?pe* us bRve bene-'lea tremendously from Wil-Jjr s energy and dedication,”1.,e Honorable Melvin Price,pwmber of Congress, said, “I™puld like to commend andongratulate an old and goodfiend, Wilbur R.L. Trimpe,AH S. (Hon.), for his outstanding achievements as a teacher school administratori -addition to his many and varied contributions to educa-ppn at all levels, Dr. Trimpe lnderstood other responsibilities over the years. He was past president of Bethalto Chamber of Commerce, Bethalto Rotaiy Club, HavanaRotary Club and Alton Salvation Army Advisory Board. He found time as a member to serve the Illinois Youth Commission, Illinois Educational Service Region Advisory Board (state and county chairman), Executive Committee of Cahokia Mounds Council of Boy Scouts of America, board of directors of Alton Memorial Hospital, board of St. Louis Dairy Council (past vice president), Bethalto Methodist Church, Masons, Knights Templars, Scottish Rite 32, Shrine, Jesters, Elks, Moose, Eagles, Alton-Wood River Sportman’sClub, board of Pride Inc., executive board of Piasa Council, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Morrison.As a professional educator, he organized the first four-year high school in Bethalto; was a life member of American Association of School Administrators and National County Superintendents Association; associate of KappaDelta Phi and Phi Delta Kappa; appointed to state commission on children and to the board of trustees of the Illinois Couneil on Economic Education; and was on the advisory committee for library development in Illinois and the Finance Committee, Illinois Community College Council of Presidents.With his tireless work for education and the community, many honors have come his way, including president of the Illinois Elementary School Association; Civic Service award by the Fraternal Order of Eagles; DeMolay Legion of Honor Award; certificate of appreciation by the Madison County Economic Opportunity Commission; membership in “Personalities of the West and Midwest; presidential citation from Illinois Association of School Administrators; certificate of commendation for meritorious service by the state of Illinois; county and regional representative for the White House Conference on Children and Youth 1960 and member of the state delegation in 1971; Good Turn Award by the Explorer Scouts of America; citation from Lewis and Clark Community College ; by American Association of University Professors Chapter of Honor; the Slim Talk Special Recognition Award; Senate Resolution No. 371 by the J state of Illlinois 79th General Assembly; distinguished \ appointment by Gov. Jim , Thompson of Illinois as a 1 member of the Illinois ' Employment and Training f Council; Outstanding Service y Award and Award Citation by { the League of Women Voters; Phi Theta Kappa Fellow of National Honor Fraternity of F Community Colleges; induct- I ed into the Illinois Basketball F Hall of Fame; certificate of appreciation from Wabash £ College; certificate of appreci- i ation from the Granite City Army Depot; Distinguished r Service membership scroll from Illinois Congress of Par- r ents and Teachers; the mentor V Graham Special recognition „ award; recipient of a bronze bust of his likeness from the n Bethalto Jaycees for his con-tribution to the village of Bethalto and their schools; Li honorary life membership in Si the American Legion; and Fi many, many other honors and in awards.In short, Illinois has lost a sh valued friend to education. In M his dedication to his friend Vi Wilbur Trimpe, author Robert la G. Andree called his friend “the master of the gentle art of in public relations ... if you pa know the right people, make « the right contacts, and you’re in not obnoxious about it but do i it In a friendly manner,” you'll hu get things done. HiSouthern Illinois education tei would not have been the same dij without Wilbur R,L. Trimpe dr and vice versa. anAnd those middle initials? an “They stand for Richard Lou- foi is,” said Wilbur, “But I always * told everybody they stood for at ‘Real Lucky.' ” of
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Alton Telegraph
Alton, Illinois, US
Wed, Apr 17, 1996
Page 27
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IL, USA 02 Jul 2021
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