Harold M. DeGroff Jr.

Harold Miller DeGroff, Jr. Harold Miller DeGroff, Jr., 90, Indianapolis, formerly of Connersville and West Lafayette, died on October 12, 2010 in Indianapolis. He was born on May 10, 1920 to Harold and Marjorie (Lantz) DeGroff in Troy, Ohio, and was married to the late Sarah (Sally) Meek DeGroff for more than 54 years. A former naval officer, Hal took full advantage of the G.I. Bill to attend Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and California Institute of Technology, where he earned his doctorate in aeronautics and mathematics. A longtime Purdue University faculty member, he was dean of Purdue's School of Aeronautical Engineering during the height of the "space race," counting Neil Armstrong and other renowned NASA astronauts as his students. Hal also served on the faculty of Purdue's Krannert School of Management, was president of Midwest Applied Science Corporation, a pioneer tenant of Purdue's Research Park, and served as vice president of Design & Manufacturing Corporation in Connersville. Endowed scholarships were recently established at Purdue in his name for students in management or aeronautical engineering who are earning a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. A true Renaissance man, Hal was an avid student of history, music and art and an active civic volunteer. He and Sally were dedicated members of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, which named him a Lifetime member in 2008. He was particularly fond and supportive of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and followed the glaucoma research being conducted by the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology with great interest and gratitude. Hal and Sally traveled widely and loved nothing more than retracing the steps of the Lewis and Clark expedition, exploring far-flung destinations or retreating to their "home away from home" in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. His greatest pleasures, however, were found at home, where he relished time with family, his Labrador Retrievers, Depression-era tractor and garden. He was never without a project and loved Christmas mornings and holiday dinners with Sally, his loving children Tom DeGroff (Ann), Katie Marlowe, Joe DeGroff (Debbie), Mary Barnett (Marty) and Judy Rinehart (Jerry) and grandchildren Sheila, Ashley, Erica, Ben, Jim, David, Adam, Claire, Will, Molly and Whitney. A man who lived life true to himself and his convictions, Hal will be missed by all who respected and loved him. No public funeral services will be held. A private memorial family gathering is being planned. Family, friends, associates and former students may sign an online guest book and condolences may be shared at www.millermosterrobbins.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indiana University Department of Ophthalmology Glaucoma Research and Education Fund or the Harold M. DeGroff, Jr. Scholarship Endowment at Purdue University in care of Miller-Moster-Robbins Funeral Home, 1704 Grand Avenue, Connersville, IN 47331.