NSU to Dedicate Culver Courtyard in Honor of Former State Rep. Bob Ed Culver

State Rep. Jim Wilson, JoEllen Culver, Bob Ed Culver, NSU President Dr. Larry Williams, and NSU Emeritus Professor of Education Dr. Isabel Baker cut the ribbon to the Bob Ed Culver Courtyard.

NSU Dedicates Culver Courtyard in Honor of Former State Rep. Bob Ed Culver

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University dedicated the area north of the University Center in honor of former State Rep. Bob Ed Culver on Friday, May 2.

Culver, a 1956 graduate of Northeastern, was recognized for 50 years of service to the University and the people of Tahlequah, Cherokee County, and the state of Oklahoma.

It is indeed a privilege to have the opportunity to publicly thank Bob Ed for his years of tireless public service, said NSU President Dr. Larry Williams. Although in recent years he has been most frequently recognized for his leadership in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the roots of his public service actually extend to his first year at Northeastern, when he was elected president of his freshman class. Naming a courtyard that is popular as a gathering spot for NSU students is a fitting tribute to this outstanding alumnus.

A native of Tahlequah, Culver learned the rudiments of public service as a young man working in the family-owned Reed Culver Funeral Home. As a college student, he excelled in mens tennis and graduated from Northeastern in the spring of 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Culver studied for a year at mortuary school in Dallas before returning to his hometown where he began his career as a funeral director.

Also in 1957, Culver entered into 30 years of service as a Tahlequah Fire Department volunteer and was named Cherokee County Civil Defense director. During the 1950s, he was president of the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce and was named Outstanding Citizen of Tahlequah. He retired from the Fire Department in 1987 and, three years later, stepped down from his civil defense post to run for the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

Culver served the citizens of House District 4 for ten years, running unopposed for four successive terms. During that time, he was chair of the House Corrections Committee and was also appointed to the Higher Education, Human Services, and Public Health committees.

Throughout his terms in office, Culver established a reputation as a forthright legislator who voted his conscience.

We are particularly grateful for his support of higher education, especially his consistent support of adequate funding for college and universities throughout the state, Williams said.

Now retired from public life, Culver enjoys spending time with his wife JoEllen and his four children and 11 grandchildren.

4/30/03

Published: 2003-04-30 00:00:00