MU | Notes
In Memoriam
PHILIP ORPURT ’ 48 , professor emeritus of biology , died Saturday , Feb . 17 in North Manchester at age 102 .
A native of Peru , Ind ., Philip attended Manchester for two years before being drafted . As a conscientious objector , he spent the next four years in Civilian Public Service , serving in Pennsylvania and New Jersey . He then returned to Manchester , graduating in 1948 with a degree in biology .
He went on to complete a master ’ s degree in botany and a PhD in mycology and ecology before returning to Manchester in 1954 as a professor . He taught here for over 30 years . Philip enjoyed landscaping , genealogy , donating his time to the North Manchester Tree Advisory Commission and the North Manchester Center for History , and was dedicated to lifelong learning .
Philip met his wife , Mary Ruth Hayden , in South Lee , Mass ., in 1944 while working at Lyons Veterans Hospital in New Jersey . The two fell in love and were married on Dec . 3 , 1945 . During their seventy years of marriage , the couple was blessed with five children .
TIMOTHY “ TIM ” ALMACK ’ 76 , trustee , died Friday , Feb . 23 in Carmel , Ind ., at age 69 .
Tim graduated from Manchester in 1976 with a degree in accounting . Before his retirement in 2022 , he served as partner-in-charge of the Transportation Services Group at Katz , Sapper and Miller Business Services , Inc . in Indianapolis . A
Certified Scaling Up Coach , Tim also founded his own coaching practice , 95 to 88 , LLC .
He dedicated significant time to service for others , volunteering with Shepherd ’ s Gate Pantry of St . Maria Goretti Catholic Church and serving on the board of directors for both the Truckload Carriers Association and the Kentucky Trucking Association .
Tim ’ s term of service on Manchester ’ s board of trustees began in January of this year .
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