Dr. Winston D. Purvine

Dr. Winston D. Purvine, 96, died Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at Wake Med.

Dr. Purvine founded Oregon Institute of Technology in 1947 in Klamath Falls, OR, and was President until his retirement in 1976. Under his leadership, the Institute grew from a vocational school to a four-year bachelor's degree college by 1966. The Institute began its master's degree programs in 1995. During his lifetime, he received many awards and commendations for his outstanding service and dedication to higher education in Oregon. In 1969, he was awarded the James H. McGraw Award for Outstanding Contribution to Engineering Education. In 1988, Purvine Hall was dedicated on the Oregon Institute of Technology campus. Dr. Purvine was the first person in Oregon's history to be honored by the dedication of a college building before their passing. In 1993, Dr. Purvine became the 12th person nationwide to be cited as a Pioneer in Engineering Technology Education by the American Society for Engineering Education.

In 1960, Lewis and Clark College, his alma mater, honored him with a doctorate of laws degree. In 1976, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education awarded him "professor emeritus" status and Oregon Institute of Technology bestowed a doctorate of humane letters.

Veta Mae Purvine, his wife of 66 years, preceded him in death on February 6, 2000.

He is survived by his brother, Julius Purvine of Portland, OR; his son, Liston Purvine of Raleigh; grandsons, Larry Purvine of Youngsville, and Dan Purvine of New Hill; granddaughter, Lauri Burmeister of Asheville; six great- grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. February 6, 2009 at the Glenaire Retirement Center's multi- purpose room at 4000 Glenaire Circle, off Kildaire Farm Road at Cornwall, Cary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Winston D. Purvine Memorial Scholarship Fund at Oregon Institute of Technology, 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 97601.