A Brief History of the Miner Retirees
Bob McFarland and his wife, Twilah started an informal retirees meeting for faculty and spouses in 1985. Soon after, he formed a luncheon committee to hold monthly luncheons through the school year with speakers to bring retirees up to date on campus activities.
This early committee was composed of Malcom and Millie Cole, Robert and Charlotte Gerson, Wilbur and Marian Tappemeyer and Bob and Twilah McFarland. Attendance at these luncheons in the early years had 30-80 retirees and spouses.
The involved retirees wrote the by-laws that were approved in 1988. The organization has broadened its purpose to include working toward improving benefits for retirees and working toward support of the campus (both financially and legislatively) led by a President who serves for a two-year term.
In 1991, the four campus Retirees Organizations formed an Alliance and began to meet with the President of the University to discuss a request for cost of living increases and other benefits for retirees. The Alliance has continued to work for increases in benefits for retirees as well as increases in funds for the University of Missouri from the General Assembly and Governor.
The dues for membership started at $3.00 in 1988 and are currently $15.00. The location for the monthly luncheons remained on campus from 1985-2007. (First in the old University Center and then in the Havener Center.) It was moved to Zeno’s in 2007 due to parking availability and ease in reaching the luncheon location. When Zeno’s closed, the retirees moved the luncheon site to the Rolla Elk’s Club on Hwy 63 South. In 2014, the location was moved to Rolla’s City Recreation Centre on Holloway. In 2024, the location was moved to the Innovation Lab Building on the S&T campus.
Over the years, staff retirees were added to the organization. Shortly thereafter, the organization began alternating the presidency between retired faculty and retired staff. The group continues to meet for lunch and campus presentations eight times per year.
Miner Retirees Association Past Presidents
Robert McFarland
1988-1990 Prof. Emeritus, Physics
Wilbur P. Tappmeyer
1990-1992 Prof. Emeritus, Chemistry
G. Edwin Lorey
1992-1994 Prof. Emeritus, Ceramic Eng.
Daniel L. Babcock
1994-1996 Prof. Emeritus, Engineering Mgt.
Jim C. Pogue
1996-1998 Prof. Emeritus, English
William J. James
1998-2000 Prof. Emeritus, Chemistry
Joseph H. Senne
2000-2002 Prof. Emeritus, Civil Eng.
Madison M. Daily
2002-2004 Prof. Emeritus, Engineering Mgt.
Edward B. Hale
2004-2006 Prof. Emeritus, Physics
Donald G. Brackhahn
2006-2008 Director of Alumni Affairs
Jack B. Ridley
2008-2010 Prof. Emeritus, History
Lawrence C. George
2010-2012 Asst. to Chancellor, AA/EEO
Elizabeth C. Vonalt
2012-2014 Prof. Emeritus, English
David W. Dearth
2014-2016 Director of Computing Services
Gary K. Patterson
2016-2018 Prof. Emeritus, Chemical Eng.
Ted Deskin
2018-2020 Supervisor Tech Labs IT
Richard Miller
2020=2022 Chairman of Arts, Languages & Philosophy
Greg Harris
2022-2024 Executive Director, Development