Robert H. Rutford

1933 - 2020

Robert H. Rutford obituary, 1933-2020, Dallas, TX

Robert Rutford Obituary

RUTFORD, Dr. Robert H. The former president of the University of Texas-Dallas died December 1st, at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Dallas, Texas. A Minnesota native, he was born in Duluth 1933. Bob earned a Bachelor's degree in geography in 1954 from the University of Minnesota, where he lettered in football and track. After participating in the ROTC program, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. After two years in the Army, he returned to Minnesota as a graduate student. He then earned his Master's degree in geography. After earning his Doctorate degree in geology from the University of Minnesota, he served in various faculty positions at the University of South Dakota and at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was vice chancellor for research and graduate studies and interim chancellor before accepting the position as president at UT-Dallas. He served as president from 1982 to 1994 and was named President Emeritus by the UT System Board of Regents in 2007. During his tenure as UT-Dallas' second president, Bob guided the university through several transformative changes including adding freshman and sophomore students in 1990 and developing the first on-campus student housing. Bob also provided direction and support for the founding of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Rutford Avenue on the UT-Dallas campus is named in his honor, recognizing his accomplishments in developing the university into an outstanding center of excellence in research and teaching. Bob's research interests were in the fields of glacial geology and geomorphology, primarily in Antarctica. Beginning in the late 1950's, he embarked on more than two dozen treks to Antarctica. Mount Rutford, located in the Ellsworth Mountains in Antarctica is named for him, as is the 130 mile-long Rutford Ice Stream. Bob was a member of the Polar Research Board of the National Research Council, and in 1975 became the Director of the Division of Polar Programs for the National Science Foundation. While at the NSF, he received the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award given by the NSF. In 1986, he was appointed U.S. Delegate to the International Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Bob's many honors include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota "M" Club (1995), Doctor of Science Degree (Honorary), St. Petersburg (Russia) State Technical University (1994), Outstanding Achievement Award, University of Minnesota Board of Regents (1993), and the Antarctic Service Medal. He was inducted into the Midwestern Swimming Hall of Fame for all his years of volunteer officiating, at all levels, age groups high school and college swimming. He was also the head football and track coach at Hamline University (St. Paul MN) from 1959-1963. While at UT-Dallas, Bob was active in community affairs in Dallas and served on the boards of both the Richardson and North Dallas Chambers of Commerce, and on the Plano Economic Development Board. Bob married Margie Johnsen in 1954, and they had three children- Gregory (Linda) Rutford of Jackson, WY; Kristian (Mary) Rutford of Lincoln NE; and Barbara (Kris) Grosshans of Clarendon Hills, IL. He enjoyed spending summers with his family and friends at their summer home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he was also a member of the Geologists of Jackson Hole. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Skuli and Ruth Rutford, sister Mary Covert, and Brother John Rutford. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margie, his brothers Dave Rutford of Duluth, MN and Ken (Sharon) Rutford of Hugo, MN, sisters-in-law Donna Rutford and Sandra Johnsen, and his and Margie's three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grand children. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 11, 2020 at the King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the University of Texas-Dallas by either of the following two ways: 1) go to the website: giving.utdallas. edu. Under "designation", click "other" and type in geosciences. At the bottom under Tribute Information where it says Type, click" In Honor Of" and under Name, type Dr. Robert H. Rutford; and 2) a check can be mailed to: UT of Dallas, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 800 W. Campbell Rd., SPN 10, Richardson, TX 75080, indicating in honor of Dr. Robert H. Rutford. OR donations can be made to the King of Glory Lutheran Church, 6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75240.

Published by Dallas Morning News on Jan. 5, 2020.
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3 Entries

Adam Cremieux

January 9, 2020

As an alumnus of UTD, thank you for your unique vision and dedication to our University, while serving as president! Today we are a nationally recognized University, as a result of that vision. As a friend, I will miss having lunch together with you!

January 6, 2020

James Parry

January 6, 2020

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Celebration of Life

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King of Glory Lutheran Church

6411 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX

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