Wilbur Richard Louis Trimpe (/ˈtrɪmpi/ TRIM-pee; June 10, 1906 – April 15, 1996) was an American educator from Illinois.[5] Over the course of his career, he served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, regional superintendent, and college president in Southern Illinois.[5] Trimpe was the first superintendent for Bethalto Community Unit School District 8 and third president of Lewis and Clark Community College. During his time as Regional Superintendent of Schools for Madison County, Trimpe advocated for the establishment and development of a system of statewide community colleges for Illinois.[1]
Wilbur Trimpe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of Lewis and Clark Community College | |
| In office 1973–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Robert O. Birkhimer[1] |
| Succeeded by | J. Neil Admire[1] |
| Regional Superintendent of Schools for Madison County, Illinois | |
| In office 1959–1973 | |
| Succeeded by | Harold Briggs[2] |
| Superintendent of schools for Bethalto Community Unit School District 8 | |
| In office 1950–1959 | |
| Succeeded by | Kermit Harden[3] |
| Superintendent of schools for Havana Community Unit School District | |
| In office 1932–1950 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wilbur Richard Louis Trimpe June 10, 1906 Mason County, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 1996 (aged 89) Morrison, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic[2] |
| Spouse | Wanita Trimpe |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Western Illinois college (Bachelor's degree)[4] University of Illinois (Master's degree)[4] |
Early life edit
Trimpe was born June 10, 1906, to Carl and Katherine (Leithoff) Trimpe.[5] He was raised in Mason County, Illinois.[5] He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois college in 1942,[4] a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1945,[4] and worked towards a doctorate degree at both the University of Colorado[6] and Southern Illinois University.[5]
Career edit
On May 20, 1950, it was announced that Trimpe was hired as superintendent of Bethalto Elementary District 152 and the newly formed Civic Memorial High School District 100.[6] However, a referendum on June 2, 1950, combined the two districts, establishing Bethalto Community Unit School District 8.[7] When Trimpe left Bethalto CUSD8 in 1959, Wilbur Trimpe Junior High (now Trimpe Middle School) was named after him.[5]
After the 1958-1959 school year, Trimpe left Bethalto Schools upon being elected Regional Superintendent of Schools for Madison County.[1] He served as regional superintendent from 1959 to 1973.[1] In 1973, Trimpe was selected to be the third president of Lewis and Clark Community College.[1] He held this position until his retirement in 1983.[5] In his previous position as regional superintendent, Trimpe lead the effort in 1969 to create the Lewis and Clark Community College district.[2] The vocational technical building on campus was dedicated to Trimpe and named the "Trimpe Vocational-Technical Building”.[5]
In 1982, Trimpe was inducted to the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame for his 33 years of high school basketball officiating.[8]
Philanthropy edit
In 1995, Trimpe created the Wanita E. and Wilbur R.L. Trimpe Endowment Scholarship Fund.[2] The scholarship is awarded to Civic Memorial High School graduates entering Lewis and Clark Community College.[2]
Death edit
Wilbur Trimpe died in Morrison, Illinois, on April 15, 1996.[5] He was 89 years old.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "Past Presidents". Lewis & Clark Community College. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Lasting gifts: Ex-leader gives LCCC $50,000". Alton Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. 1995-01-19. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-02 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ "Kermit Harden Named Unit 8 Superintendent". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. 1959-06-27. p. 7. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-02 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ a b c d "Superintendent Named For Bethalto Districts". Edwardsville Intelligencer. Edwardsville, Illinois. 1950-05-22. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2021-07-02 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Wilbur R.L. Trimpe Obituary". Alton Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. 1996-04-17. p. 51. Archived from the original on 2021-07-02. Retrieved 2021-07-02 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ a b "Name Bethalto School Supt". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. 1950-05-20. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-02 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ "Bethalto School Election June 24". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. 1950-06-07. p. 19. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-02 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ "IBCA Hall of Fame". The Basketball Museum of Illinois. Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2021-07-02.