Stewart, Robert Bruce
Person
Dates
- Existence: March 31, 1896 - June 11, 1988
Biographical Information
R. B. Stewart joined the staff of Purdue University in 1925 as the controller. At that time, Purdue enrolled 3,000 students, the physical plant was worth $3 million, and the endowment totaled $340,000. Twenty years later, Stewart was named Vice President and Treasurer. When he retired in 1961, enrollment had grown to 22,000, the physical plant was valued at $160 million, and yields from the $25 million endowment were producing funds for research, scholarships, and grants.
Stewart’s pioneering ways of financing expansion through trust gifts and interest-free bonds enabled Purdue to grow, and our University became the benchmark for every university in the country. Stewart was known as a, “Father of the G.I. Bill,” the post-World War II training programs that brought thousands of returning veterans to campuses across the country and fueled national growth and prosperity.
In 1971, Stewart made a planned gift to Purdue by donating his home, Westwood. It has served as the home of Purdue’s President ever since.
The campus building Stewart Center was named, in part, in his honor.
Stewart’s pioneering ways of financing expansion through trust gifts and interest-free bonds enabled Purdue to grow, and our University became the benchmark for every university in the country. Stewart was known as a, “Father of the G.I. Bill,” the post-World War II training programs that brought thousands of returning veterans to campuses across the country and fueled national growth and prosperity.
In 1971, Stewart made a planned gift to Purdue by donating his home, Westwood. It has served as the home of Purdue’s President ever since.
The campus building Stewart Center was named, in part, in his honor.
Citation
Cemetery, M., America, N., County, T., Township, W. and Cemetery, M. (2017). Robert Bruce Stewart (1896-1988). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8752498/robert-bruce-stewartFound in 6 Collections and/or Records:
Purdue University Robert B. and Lillian V. Stewart Recognition Ceremony, June 9, 1972
File — Box: 1, Reel: 8
Identifier: MSP 265, File 5
Scope and Contents
File consists of one audio reel recording on Purdue University's Recognition Ceremony for Robert B. and Lillian V. Stewart on a Scotch 150 reel.
Dates:
June 9, 1972
Stewart, R. B., August 11, 1969 - March 28, 1977
Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSO 2, Series 1, Sub-Series 41
Scope and Contents
Three oral history interviews with R. B. Stewart by Robert B. Eckles and one oral history interview with R. B. Stewart by Ruth Freehafer.
Dates:
August 11, 1969 - March 28, 1977
Stewart, R. B. Interview, September 29, 1969
File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSO 2, Series 1, Sub-Series 41, File 3
Scope and Contents
Interview consists of one final transcript and one audio reel recording on a Scotch 200 reel.
Dates:
September 29, 1969
Stewart, R. B. Interview, March 28, 1977
File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSO 2, Series 1, Sub-Series 41, File 4
Scope and Contents
Interview consists of two parts of one draft transcript.
Dates:
March 28, 1977
Stewart, R. B. Interview, August 11, 1969
File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSO 2, Series 1, Sub-Series 41, File 1
Scope and Contents
Interview consists of one final transcript, one audio reel recording on a Scotch 200 reel, and one audio copy of the reel recording on an audio cassette.
Dates:
August 11, 1969
Stewart, R. B. Interview, September 24, 1969
File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSO 2, Series 1, Sub-Series 41, File 2
Scope and Contents
Interview consists of one final transcript, one audio reel recording on a Scotch 200 reel, and one audio copy of the reel recording on an audio cassette.
Dates:
September 24, 1969