Dudley DeGroot Obituary

DeGROOT, Dudley Edward 85, a retired professor of Anthropology at Eckerd College, died Dec. 7, 2012 in St. Petersburg. Born in Palo Alto, CA, Dr. DeGroot attended Stanford University before transferring to West Virginia University where he played football when his father Dudley Sargent DeGroot was head football coach there. After completing his undergraduate degree at WVU, he earned his Master's degree at New Mexico University and his Ph.D. at Ohio State University. A professor at Eckerd College from 1964 until retirement in 1989, Dr. DeGroot previously taught at Rollins College, Winter Park and Emory University, Atlanta. He was the Mayor of Maitland, in the early '60s and Chairman of the Board of the Pinellas Association of Retarded Children in the '70s. DeGroot enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served both WWII and the Korean War. He continued to serve 42 years in the Navy in active, reserve, and ready reserve duty, retiring as a Rear Admiral. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette DeGroot; by his sons, David, Dudley Bruce, and Neil DeGroot from his marriage to Sally Stroup DeGroot, (deceased); and his grandson, William Dudley DeGroot. He is also survived by Jeanette's children, Lise Crane Plattner, Catherine Crane Evans, James Carey Crane; grandchildren, Melissa and Jaime Knorpel, Alexander and Griffin Plattner, Carson Evans; and sister, Nancy DeGroot, Rohnert Park, CA. Dr. DeGroot is a member of Grace Mountainside Episcopal and Lutheran Church in Robbinsville, NC. Family and friends will gather to share memories of Dr. DeGroot on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 pm in the Lounge of Westminster Suncoast at 1095 Pinellas Point Dr. S. in St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dudley DeGroot Men's Basketball Endowed Scholarship Fund. Contributions can be made on-line at www.eckerd.edu/giving/ or through the mail in the usual manner. If you have any questions about donations, please contact Tom Scheider in the EC development office at [email protected].

Published by Tampa Bay Times on Dec. 12, 2012.
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Just the other day Dr. DeGroot's father was referenced on National Public Radio and it prompted me to discover that he had passed away over three years ago. Some very important memories came back to me from my time at Eckerd, including Professor DeGroot's efforts to try and talk some sense into me. While his message was lost on me at the time I am beginning to get it now some 35 years later. Thank you Professor for extending yourself to that thick headed adolescent. I now appreciate your caring gesture and wisdom! So often I have been unaware of the greatness around me.

David Huesman (81)

August 16, 2016

Thank you Dr. DeGroot. Your guidance got me through life's challenges many times. Management Major, class of '73

Jim Rogers

December 20, 2012

I was a student in three of Dr DeGroot's classes during the late 1960's. Those classes I still remember well. He was entertaining, amusing, informative, and had a passion for teaching. I also recall being at his house for a get-together one evening and playing with his energetic Weimaraner dog which he was so proud of. I met his wife, Sally, and was amazed at how adept she was at putting together the pieces of skull bones that our archaeology class had dug up. Dr DeGroot was perhaps the most well-rounded man I have ever known. He will be missed. Tim Taylor '70

Tim Taylor

December 15, 2012

Great professor! His Core lectures were always informative and entertaining.

Elithia Stanfield

December 14, 2012

A wonderful guy, funny, open, curious...my favorite professor, he introduced me to anthropology and archaeology which became lifelong pursuits... went to Ireland with him and had a blast; he gave me a book of his original poems about that country. I truly loved him and am much saddened by his passing. Peace be with you.

Erin Olshan Boyer

December 13, 2012

Dr DeGroot, Dudley, was my most admired teacher with a larger than life personality, talents and intellect. I am grateful for his influence. He was a man for all seasons. My condolences to his family.

Jeanne Palmer Hunt

December 13, 2012

I took several of Dr. DeGroot's anthropology classes and remember his passion for teaching. He enjoyed anthropology and archaeology and made it come alive for alot of us. He will be missed.

Sarah Peaden Thogode

December 12, 2012

Dr. DeGroot will be missed. He had an impact on my life and I'm sure many others. I took a number of his classes and his knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject nurtured my fascination with anthropology and archaeology. He sometimes used his sense of humor to helped us learn…I'll never forget the paleontologist Robert Broom after Dr. DeGroot called him “Boom Boom Broom” because he sometimes excavated using explosives. Dr. DeGroot was a special teacher and I'm so glad I knew him.

Sherry Blomeley (70)

December 12, 2012

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