Tom Spurgeon, respected former Purdue trustee and generous benefactor, dies at 87

Tom Spurgeon (BS industrial management ‘61) died Saturday (March 28) at age 87.

Spurgeon, of Peoria Heights, Illinois, and most recently, Washington, Illinois, served on the Purdue University Board of Trustees from 2005-20 — elected by the Purdue Alumni Association as an alumni trustee — and served as chairman (2013-15) and vice chairman (2011-13 and 2015-20).

Spurgeon also was a generous benefactor to the university, resulting in the construction of Hanley Hall and in three facilities bearing his name: Tom Spurgeon Golf Training Center, Spurgeon Hall of Spirit in the Dauch Alumni Center and Spurgeon Club at Mackey Arena. He was a fervent supporter of Purdue Athletics, endowing a scholarship for the men’s and women’s golf programs and providing gifts of furniture for the Mackey Arena Complex, Mollenkopf Athletic Center and Ross-Ade Pavilion.

“Tom was a Boilermaker gem,” current trustees chair Gary Lehman said. “His combination of service, generosity and bigheartedness to his alma mater is unmatched. Purdue University is a better place because of Tom. We will miss him, and we offer our deepest condolences to Joy and his family and many friends.”

Spurgeon received the President’s Council Distinguished Pinnacle Award in 2002, Purdue Athletics Diamond “P” Award in 2005, Purdue Alumni Citizenship Award in 2008, Krannert School of Management Distinguished Alumni Award and Phi Gamma Delta Distinguished Fiji Award in 2015, and Legends Award from the National Football Foundation in 2016. He was selected to Purdue’s 2014 Old Masters program.

“Former board Chairman Spurgeon has been one of the most dedicated Boilermakers this university has ever seen,” Purdue President Mung Chiang said. “I recall vividly our conversations when I arrived nine years ago and have been a strong admirer of Tom’s generosity to and vision for our university. The entire Purdue family will miss him dearly.”

A native of Columbus, Indiana, Spurgeon was a 1961 Distinguished Military Graduate of Purdue’s industrial management undergraduate program. He was a manager for the Boilermaker football team and was active in ROTC.

Spurgeon enlisted in the U.S. Army following graduation and went on to serve as a nuclear weapons officer and have an active role in some of the most classified activities in the nation’s military history until his discharge in 1964.

Spurgeon was an entrepreneur who succeeded in a variety of business opportunities, beginning with Cummins Engine Co., followed by the ownership and management of three companies: Gott Corp. of Winfield, Kansas; Cosco Inc. of Columbus, Indiana; and Lincoln Office Supply Co., Inc. of Peoria, Illinois.

Spurgeon is survived by his wife, Joy Spurgeon; his children, Eric Spurgeon, Delia Spurgeon, Chad (Amanda) Cline and Ty Cline; his sister, Myra (William) Stinnett; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Obituary – Visitation and Funeral Information