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 the 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 led 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's ingenious mechanical inventions of gears still steer millions of motorized vehicles, boats, tractors, even golf carts the world over.

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 the 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 led 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's ingenious mechanical inventions of gears still steer millions of motorized vehicles, boats, tractors, even golf carts the world over.

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