President Emeritus of Clemson University
Robert Cook Edwards, 94 , the president of Clemson University for 21 years, died Thursday, Dec. 4, at Cottingham House, a hospice residence in Seneca.
Edwards, the eighth and longest-serving chief executive of Clemson, and his wife, Louise Odom Edwards, who died in July, served the university during a time of phenomenal growth and monumental events that shaped the future of the institution, such as the graduation of Clemson’s first female students and the enrollment of its first black students.
“R.C. Edwards was a giant in the history of Clemson University. No president will ever surpass his dedicated service to his alma mater nor his impact on all aspects of life at Clemson,” said current president James F. Barker.
A native of Fountain Inn, Edwards entered Clemson College as a freshman at age 15 and graduated in 1933 with a Bachelor of Science degree in textile engineering.
After a successful career in the textile industry, he returned to Clemson in 1956 as the university’s first vice president for development. He became acting president in 1958 after the death of President Robert F. Poole and was elected president by the trustees on April 9, 1959 — the second Clemson graduate to hold the position.
At his retirement, Edwards had personally awarded 28,750 diplomas, which represented more than 70 percent of all undergraduate degrees and all the doctorates awarded in Clemson’s history to that time.
He was recognized as a take-charge businessman and skilled negotiator who shared a special bond with students. His love of Clemson sports was legendary, having served as manager for the football team as a student and IPTAY president during 1954-55.
In “Tradition: A History of the Presidency of Clemson University,” chapter author Stephen Wainscott wrote, “While some thought it contrary to the reserved academic image of a college president, Edwards saw nothing wrong with running onto the field with the football team or substituting for the Clemson spotter in radio broadcasts at games. Nor did he consider it a breach of presidential dignity to have orange tiger paws painted in his cheeks.” (Read more excerpts from the book).
Edwards and his first lady were a strong presence on campus and in the community. He was affectionately known as “R.C.” and she as “Moon Pie” by students and alumni, a reference to the popular Southern snack cake said to be the perfect complement to “RC Cola.”
He is survived by a daughter, Nancy Edwards Reid, and her husband, Bill; daughter-in-law Sandra Edwards Waggoner; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Louise Odom Edwards, who died July 29; a son, Robert Cook Edwards Jr.; his parents, John Thaddeus and Effie Cook Edwards; brothers, Ansel and Butler Edwards; and sisters, Elna Edwards Mayfield, Ruby Edwards Godfrey and Beth Edwards Hoffman.
Memorial requests
The family requests that memorials be made to the following:
Clemson University Foundation
P.O. Box 1889
Clemson, SC 29633-1889
Hospice of the Foothills
390 Keowee School Road
Seneca, SC 29672
Clemson United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 590
Clemson, SC 29633
Share memories of Dr. Edwards and your thoughts about his legacy in an online guest book or online or in person at the Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons.
Contact the Office of News Services at 864-656-2061.
President James F. Barker:
R.C. Edwards was a giant in the history of Clemson University. No president will ever surpass his dedicated service to his alma mater nor his impact on all aspects of life at Clemson. Dr. Edwards was my President and he has always been a part of my Clemson experience, from the day I first walked onto campus to today. When he shook my hand at graduation in 1970, it was one of the proudest days of my life. I still stand in awe of all that he accomplished as president. He led Clemson through the transition from a small, all-male military college to a major co-educational, integrated university. He presided over an era of enormous, much-needed change with strong, steady and visionary leadership. He will always be remembered.