Robert W. Topping papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSA 33
Scope and Contents
The Robert W. Topping papers (1930-1996; 2.75 cubic feet) collection consists of many newspaper clippings, news releases, ten interviews on cassette tapes and miscellaneous printed ephemera that Robert W. Topping collected, while on the staff of the Purdue University Office of Publications for twenty-eight years. Also included are the files used for his published book; “The Hovde Years,” 1980 and the original manuscript for “A Century and Beyond,” 1988, along with manuscripts for “Gentle Force, The Women of Purdue University,” 1993 and “Just Call Me Orville,” 1996, the unpublished biography of Orville Redenbacher, 1996. The papers are organized into two series:
Dates
- 1930 - 1996
- Majority of material found within 1966 - 1988
Creator
- Topping, Robert W. (Person)
Language of Materials
Collection material is in English.
Access Information
This collection is open for research.
Copyright and Use Information
Copyright held by Purdue University, per deed of gift.
Biographical Information
Robert W. Topping was born November 27, 1925. He was the son of Professor and Mrs. Alanson N. Topping. Topping’s father was a professor of electrical engineering at Purdue from 1903 to 1949, so Robert grew up in the community. Robert Topping was a member of the Purdue Class of 1950, and he was editor in chief of the RIVET, a campus humor publication. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in English. His brothers and sisters also graduated from Purdue.
After Robert Topping’s graduation, he spent several years working as a reporter for the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, the LaPorte Herald-Argus and the Grand Rapids Press in Michigan. He was cited in 1956 by the American Political Science Association for distinguished reporting of state and local government in 1956. Topping served in the Air Force in 1950 and 1951 as an information specialist at Castle Air Force base, Merced, California. He returned to Purdue permanently in 1961.
Topping started working in the old Bureau of Information, before it was renamed the Purdue News Service. He was director of the News Service in 1976 when he left that post to begin work on his book about former Purdue President Frederick Hovde. While researching and writing the book, he became an assistant to the vice president for advancement and continued to serve as press officer for the board of trustees and editor of Perspective. He later became senior editor in the Office of Publications and retired in 1990, after twenty-eight years on the Purdue staff. At Topping’s retirement dinner, Governor Evan Bayh made him a “Sagamore of the Wabash”, the highest honor an Indiana governor can bestow. Another award, the Leather Medal, from the Purdue chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists went to Topping in 1990. Awarded annually since 1921, the honor goes to someone “who has made a great contribution to the welfare, success and reputation of Purdue.”
Robert Topping was the founding editor in 1973 of Perspective, the university’s quarterly tabloid. He was also editor of Purdue Today. He has authored three books about Purdue University: The Hovde Years (1980), which covers Purdue history during Frederick Hovde’s presidency from 1946 through 1971. His book, A Century and Beyond (1988), was the first comprehensive history of Purdue since 1925. John Hicks III, the former senior vice president of Purdue, suggested that Topping write an updated version of Purdue’s history in 1983, and A Century and Beyond is a result of that suggestion. The book of trustees: Purdue University, 1865-1989, (1989) is book about Purdue University’s board of trustees members. Topping also wrote two unpublished manuscripts, “Gentle Force, The Women of Purdue University”, (1993) and “Just Call Me Orville”, the unpublished biography of Orville Redenbacher, (1996).
Topping had been the vice president of the Class of 1950, and he played a key role in getting the Class of 1950 lecture hall built on campus. It’s been noted in several publications that he always considered Purdue home. Robert Topping died April 25, 2009, and he will be remembered as one of Purdue University’s best-known historians and beloved storytellers.
Source(s): Various articles published by the Lafayette Journal and Courier, filed in the Archives and Special Collections vertical file.
After Robert Topping’s graduation, he spent several years working as a reporter for the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, the LaPorte Herald-Argus and the Grand Rapids Press in Michigan. He was cited in 1956 by the American Political Science Association for distinguished reporting of state and local government in 1956. Topping served in the Air Force in 1950 and 1951 as an information specialist at Castle Air Force base, Merced, California. He returned to Purdue permanently in 1961.
Topping started working in the old Bureau of Information, before it was renamed the Purdue News Service. He was director of the News Service in 1976 when he left that post to begin work on his book about former Purdue President Frederick Hovde. While researching and writing the book, he became an assistant to the vice president for advancement and continued to serve as press officer for the board of trustees and editor of Perspective. He later became senior editor in the Office of Publications and retired in 1990, after twenty-eight years on the Purdue staff. At Topping’s retirement dinner, Governor Evan Bayh made him a “Sagamore of the Wabash”, the highest honor an Indiana governor can bestow. Another award, the Leather Medal, from the Purdue chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists went to Topping in 1990. Awarded annually since 1921, the honor goes to someone “who has made a great contribution to the welfare, success and reputation of Purdue.”
Robert Topping was the founding editor in 1973 of Perspective, the university’s quarterly tabloid. He was also editor of Purdue Today. He has authored three books about Purdue University: The Hovde Years (1980), which covers Purdue history during Frederick Hovde’s presidency from 1946 through 1971. His book, A Century and Beyond (1988), was the first comprehensive history of Purdue since 1925. John Hicks III, the former senior vice president of Purdue, suggested that Topping write an updated version of Purdue’s history in 1983, and A Century and Beyond is a result of that suggestion. The book of trustees: Purdue University, 1865-1989, (1989) is book about Purdue University’s board of trustees members. Topping also wrote two unpublished manuscripts, “Gentle Force, The Women of Purdue University”, (1993) and “Just Call Me Orville”, the unpublished biography of Orville Redenbacher, (1996).
Topping had been the vice president of the Class of 1950, and he played a key role in getting the Class of 1950 lecture hall built on campus. It’s been noted in several publications that he always considered Purdue home. Robert Topping died April 25, 2009, and he will be remembered as one of Purdue University’s best-known historians and beloved storytellers.
Source(s): Various articles published by the Lafayette Journal and Courier, filed in the Archives and Special Collections vertical file.
Extent
2.75 Cubic Feet
Arrangement
Collection materials are arranged into two series as follows:
1. Purdue Related Publications, 1930-1987 (1.25 cubic feet). The original order of materials in the series has been maintained. Items consist of Purdue University board of trustees’ minutes (1978-1987), ten cassette tapes (interviews), various issues of Purdue Alumnus, material from the “Purdue Plan for the Eighties” campaign, a brochure for McClure Park, the future Industrial Research Park, and other Purdue related publications. There is an album which contains an extensive collection of Purdue related newspaper clippings from July – December, 1966. This includes clippings related to Purdue’s participation in the 1967 Rose Bowl.
2. Manuscripts and Files, 1945- 1990 (1.5 cubic feet) This series contains the original manuscript for Robert Toppings published book, A century and beyond: the history of Purdue University,” 1988, along with the files used to write his published work, The Hovde years: a biography of Frederick L. Hovde, 1980. The original order of the files was maintained. Manuscripts for Topping’s two unpublished works, “Gentle Force, The Women of Purdue University” and “Just Call Me Orville” are a part of this series.
Whenever possible, original order of the materials has been retained.
1. Purdue Related Publications, 1930-1987 (1.25 cubic feet). The original order of materials in the series has been maintained. Items consist of Purdue University board of trustees’ minutes (1978-1987), ten cassette tapes (interviews), various issues of Purdue Alumnus, material from the “Purdue Plan for the Eighties” campaign, a brochure for McClure Park, the future Industrial Research Park, and other Purdue related publications. There is an album which contains an extensive collection of Purdue related newspaper clippings from July – December, 1966. This includes clippings related to Purdue’s participation in the 1967 Rose Bowl.
2. Manuscripts and Files, 1945- 1990 (1.5 cubic feet) This series contains the original manuscript for Robert Toppings published book, A century and beyond: the history of Purdue University,” 1988, along with the files used to write his published work, The Hovde years: a biography of Frederick L. Hovde, 1980. The original order of the files was maintained. Manuscripts for Topping’s two unpublished works, “Gentle Force, The Women of Purdue University” and “Just Call Me Orville” are a part of this series.
Whenever possible, original order of the materials has been retained.
Custodial History
Suzanne Topping is the wife of Robert Topping.
Acquisition Information
Collection materials donated by Suzanne Topping, wife of Robert Topping, 2010-06-01.
Accruals and Additions
#20060721, 24 slides used for A Century and Beyond.
Processing Information
All materials have been housed in acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes.
Creator
- Topping, Robert W. (Person)
- Title
- Robert W. Topping papers
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Amanda Rumba and Mary A. Sego
- Date
- 2020-04-30
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- Second edition. Collection description first completed 2011-03-03 by Mary Sego.
Revision Statements
- 2012-10-16: Updated 10/16/12 EW.
- 2020-04-30: Collection description updated by Amanda Rumba to align with data entry standards.
Repository Details
Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu