It is with sadness the family of Robert Earl “Bob” Wolverton, Sr., Ph.D. announce his passing on Friday, December 15, 2023, in Starkville, MS at age 98.
Wolverton leaves behind four children, Bob Jr., of Starkville, MS; Laurie NeSmith of Papillion, NE; Ed of Columbus, GA; and Gary of Mobile, AL. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Margaret “Peggy” Wolverton, in November 2019.
Wolverton, was born August 4, 1925, to the late Vivian Overton in Indianapolis IN. He graduated with a B.A. degree from Hanover College and went on to earn an M.A. degree from the University of Michigan, a Ph.D. Degree from the University of North Carolina, and an honorary Litt.D degree from Mount St. Joseph College.
Dr. Wolverton began his teaching career at McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN. He subsequently held positions at the University of Georgia; Tufts University; Florida State University; University of Illinois; Miami (Ohio) University; and was President of Mount St. Joseph College.
In 1977, Wolverton began a 43-year career at Mississippi State University. He served as Vice President of Academic Affairs before stepping down to teach and become department head of Foreign Languages. Wolverton returned to the classroom at age 70 as a full-time professor, until his eventual retirement in May 2020. Among his proudest achievements was helping establish a Phi Beta Kappa honor society, receiving the John Grisham Master Teacher award, selection as Humanities Teacher of the Year, and first recipient of the Robert Wolverton Legacy Award to honor those with distinguished service to the College of Arts & Sciences. In 2017, he was honored for his service when the rotunda in the Old Main Academic Building was officially dedicated in his name.
Wolverton was highly involved in the Starkville community. He and Peggy were parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a founder of the Starkville Community Theater and served as president of the MSU-Starkville Symphony Association. He was president of Trustees of the Starkville Library and Friends of the Library and was elected to the Starkville Education Hall of Fame.
The funeral service and inurnment will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at the Church prior to the service from 12:30-1:45 P.M. Following the inurnment, friends are invited to the Fellowship Hall for a reception to celebrate Bob’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Wolverton CMLL Library Holdings Fund for Excellence at www.msufoundation.com; St. Joseph Catholic Church, 607 University Dr., Starkville, MS 39759; or Friends of the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library, 326 University Dr., Starkville, MS 39759.
The family expresses gratitude to the St. Joseph’s church community, Dr. Josh Black, doctors and nurses at Oktibbeha County Hospital, and the extended home health team for their support and loving care.
