Richard Dean Topper

Richard Dean Topper

Richard Dean Topper

Richard Dean Topper was the son of Frank H. Topper and Leta Bowen. He was born on the first of June 1927 in Franklin County Ohio. He married Garnet Ruth Miller. They lived in Worthington, Ohio.

Topper was one of the first graduates from Ashland University with a degree in the area of radio broadcasting, in 1950. He was active in the Alumni Association 0f Ashland University until his death on the 21st of December 1974 at the age of 47 years. He served in the United States military in both World War II and in the Korean Conflict.

Richard Dean Topper was an Advertising and Public Relations Executive and a director in the organization of the Eagle Club at Ashland University that initiated the obtaining of the enormous eagle that is situated in front of Kates Gymnasium of the University. Topper was an advisor to the University’s president on public affairs from 1966 through 1970. He created the “Accent of the Individual” idea that was a unique and highly successful concept so clearly identifiable with Ashland University.

He led a rich, full life and he was involved with the clever use of ideas that moved the University forward. He was both quick witted and intelligent but his life was cut short by the disease of leukemia which resulted in cerebral vascular accident. And he died at the age of 47 years.