Ross-Ade

Dave Ross (1871-1943) and George Ade (1866-1944) were trustees, distinguished alumni and benefactors of Purdue University. Their friendship began in 1922 and led to their giving land and money for 1924 construction of Ross-Ade Stadium, now a 70,000 seat athletic landmark on the West Lafayette campus. Their life stories date to 1883 Purdue and involve their separate student experiences and eventual fame. Their lives crossed paths with U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Ford, Amelia Earhart, and Will Rogers among others. Gifts or ideas from Ross or Ade lead to creation of the Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue Airport, Ross Hills Park and Ross Engineering Camp. They helped Purdue Theater, the Harlequin Club and more. Ade, renowned author and playwright, did butt heads with Purdue administrators at times long ago, but remains a revered figure. Ross' ingenious mechanical inventions of gears still steer millions of motorized vehicles, boats, tractors, even golf carts the world over.

Robert C. Kriebel is a retired editor of the Lafayette Journal and Courier where is was employed 40 years in a variety of writing, editing, and executive positions. He continues in retirement to contribute a Sunday column on local history, a column that was launched in 1977. Kriebel is the author of 4 books on Indiana biography, and one about the life and the work of American jazz banleader, Herman Woody

- Acknowledgments- Introduction- PART I Ross-Ade: Their Stories- Like being in jail- Mechanic or farmer?- A good spectator- Much of the time lonely- In the Big Arena- A different breed of cat- Chicago, here he came- Meanwhile, down on the farm- "Fables" and more- Plays and more plays- Made for the movies- Peace and War- At war with Purdue- Together at last- Walter Scholer - Ross-Ade- PART II Ross-Ade: Their Stadium- A time for reflectio- Out of the Joke Division- Events of great importance- Governor Leslie- Darkest memories- Maybe sports? - Fast growing seeds- Promising news, growing Depression- A time of change- Purdue Airport- Earhart at Purdue- The "Flying Laboratory"- Pride, sadness, mystery, hope- A new season of pride- Golf courses, parties, and war- The Hall of Music- Getting serious- Wartime!- "A multiplier of the power of men"- "Home is the Hoosier"- Hovde for Elliott- Gaining in value- The "Golden Girl" and "Purdue Pete"- "I am an American"- A hallowed centerpiece- The "PAT" era - Not your average Joe- Bermuda and "The Boilermaker"- An economic plus- And then some- References- Index