Former ECC president Appel dies
For some leaders, having a predecessor roaming the hallways on campus might have been unnerving.
But for Robert Appel, the second president of Elgin Community College, the company of the college’s much-loved former president was welcomed. Those who knew Appel say the relationship and interaction between Appel and Gilbert Renner, who led the college from 1950 to 1971, was a testament to Appel’s generosity and warmth.
“Bob Appel could have felt threatened, but he did not,” said Jennifer Lindquist, manager of nursing skills labs who started her career at ECC in 1972. “He was so glad to have Gil around. He brought history and the two would walk around campus in their shirt sleeves. Bob was a very gracious person.”
Appel died Monday at his home in Batavia. He was 86.
From 1971 to 1975, Appel was president of ECC. Despite his short stint at the helm, the Michigan native always kept the college’s vision of being a leader in higher education at the fore.
“He was a steady rock and felt a great responsibility for continuing what Gil (Renner) and the board had started at the college,” said Lindquist, who also attended the same Elgin church as the Appel family. “He loved higher education. He was insightful and always wanted to see what was around the next bend so that we were poised for that next step.”
Appel was instrumental in the expansion of the college’s Spartan Drive campus, particularly the construction of the two buildings now known as Building B and Building C.
“It was a time of incredible growth for ECC,” Jack Weiss, a former dean of learning resources, wrote in an email. “When Dr. Appel began, we had just moved to the new Spartan Drive campus, and with the growth in facilities came a large number of new employees.”
A member of the Navy, Appel served in World War II and in the Korean conflict before transferring to the Reserves where he spent 30 years. He retired as a captain.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, two daughters, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Private services will take place in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., where Appel will be laid to rest with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Community Foundation, Muskegon County. Please designate: the Robert and Evelyn Appel Forest Park Covenant Church Memorial Fund, 425 W. Western Ave, Suite 200, Muskegon, Mich., 49440.