The Norman Transcript
November 14, 2006 12:23 am
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For The Transcript
At age 85, Roy Troutt has a world of memories, as the saying goes, memories that span the earth. A teacher and administrator in Oklahoma public schools and in higher education, and a World War II veteran, he has much to reflect upon.
Troutt was born in 1921 in Durant. Raised by a single mother, he began earning money at age 12 working in his uncle's creamery in Bonham, Texas. "I started out washing cans and moved up to building fires, then to making mixes and finally to freezing ice cream," he recalls, and smiles as he says,"I still like ice cream. I have several cartons in the freezer now."
Hard working as a student, he finished high school at 16, and earned a degree in mathematics and education from Southeastern State at age 20, just as the threat of World War II was looming. "I was offered a job at a rural school in Love County, teaching ninth grade science and high school math." Considering whether to enlist in the military, he opted to take the teaching job "but before the end of the school year, I told the superintendent that he would have to find someone else."
He enlisted in the Navy, and his degree earned him admission to midshipman school. Troutt received a commission and he was prepared to serve as a deck general officer, but his plans were diverted by a recruiter from the U. S. Bomb Disposal School.
He served in the Pacific, following Gen. Douglas MacArthur as he advanced forces. "We were the first people over the side of the ship on a cargo net or landing craft. I remember being up to my chest in water wading ashore" as troops took islands, Troutt said.
Troutt had made the landing at Luzan when he received orders to go to the Navy Bomb Disposal School as head of the research division. His duties included leading inspections of ordnance on ships following the A-bomb tests in the Bikini Atoll in the summer of 1946.
After military service, Troutt returned to Oklahoma and to teaching, serving in Ardmore Public Schools for the next 17 years.
In 1964, he completed his doctorate in education from OU and took a job at Southeastern State College as head of the education department and director of teacher education.
His next move was to OU where he served as dean of the College of Liberal Studies and associate professor of education. He held that position for seven years before accepting the presidency at USAO (University of Science and Arts in Oklahoma) in Chickasha. USAO, at that time was in turmoil with financial problems, deteriorating facilities, and a faculty questioning the leadership. Things were so bad there that recommendations to close the school surfaced. Troutt served USAO for 25 years. Under his leadership, the school focused on quality of instruction in the liberal arts, and building a solid financial footing. Several building and major remodeling projects were accomplished. "I left with the school in good financial shape, and things are running extremely well."
Along with a successful career in education, Troutt devoted a great deal of attention to Rotary, and holds perfect attendance at weekly meetings since he joined the Ardmore Rotary Club in January 1950. He served as a national coordinator for the drive that raised more than $220 million to purchase the polio vaccine.
His good friend, Ron Burton, who also has served as a director of Rotary International, said "Roy lives Rotary. He has always taken it to heart, lived by the principles of 'Service Above Self.' and exhibits those in everything he thinks and does."
Troutt spends much of his time these days, reading papers and news magazines "trying to keep up with the current events" and watching televised sports. He still attends Rotary Club meetings in Norman, and enjoys the fellowship of friends at get-togethers at his condominium community. Although he sometimes depends on a walker, his health is good. By his side for 61 years, throughout his career and his Rotary service, was his beloved wife Ruth, who died in 2003.
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