World War II veteran leaves $29 million endowment to Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University in Texas, which is associated with Churches…
‘Mr. ACU,’ Bob Hunter, dies at 94
Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, a Texas politician and an alumnus and administrator of Abilene Christian University — which is associated with Churches of Christ — died Feb. 11.
Related: World War II veteran leaves $29 million endowment to Abilene Christian University
Born in Kansas in 1928, Hunter attended high school in California before earning a bachelor’s degree in business at Abilene Christian College, as it was known at the time, in 1952.
He went on to serve in the Navy during the Korean War of the early 1950s before returning to Abilene Christian in various roles over an academic career that spanned more than three decades: director of special events, director of alumni relations, assistant to the president, vice president for public relations and development, vice president of the university and finally senior vice president.
Bob Hunter attends the opening assembly at ACU’s Moody Coliseum for the last time on Aug. 29, 2022.
Hunter also served 20 years in the Texas Legislature beginning in 1986, helping to build a community college campus in Abilene and chairing the state’s budget for higher education.
In 2006, Abilene Christian named its Hunter Welcome Center in honor of his contributions to the school, and last year, it announced the Bob Hunter Sing Song stage, which will be used for the annual musical performance he began.
Calling him “Mr. ACU,” former ACU President Royce Money said Hunter “was the epitome of tradition and authored many of the ones we love today at the university.”
“He stood for everything this Christian university stood for. I admired him because he used every phase of his life in a productive way. Look at what he spanned, especially politics and multiple generations. Students, alumni, donors from every age respected him and what he stood for and dedicated his life to.”
Hunter was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Shirley. Together, they had two sons, Kent and Les, and a daughter, Carole Phillips — all ACU alumni.
Read Hunter’s full obituary on ACU’s website.
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