The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-02
PROF. WALDR0P
 PASSES AWAY

Prof. Robert Judson Waldrop one of the most widely known and beloved ed- ucators in Alabama, died at the home of his son-in-law pr. J. D. Heacock, 1114 North Twenty fourth street, at 10 30 o'clock yesterday morning. For nearly half a century Professor Waldrop had been engaged In the work of education as principal of the old Ruhama school at East Lake and later as chairman of the Howard college faculty.
 He was born at Ruhama, now East Lake, in August, 1S46. When the civil war broke out he joined the Truss scouts and saw service during this long fight. After the war he attended the University of Virginia, graduating from that insti- tuition in 1872. Returning to Alabama he was elected principal of the Ruhama school, and when Howard college was removed from Marion to East Lake in the sos he was elected to the chair of math- ematics. This position he held until 1903 when he was stricken with apo plexy while attending faculty meeting. He was never able to resume his duties in the college after that date Out of honor to him he was granted an indefi- nite leave of absence and an acting pro- lessor was named to take up his work.
 Without exaggeration, he was perhaps the most popular professor that ever taught in an Alabama institution. He had way of getting close to tl<e students, winning their love and esteem and hold ing them He was affectionately known by the college boys as Big Jud."
 He was a diamond in the rough" stricter with the students than any of the other teachers, but behind all of his firmness there was a warm heart that always went out to the boys in trouble. Often he was called in as a mediator between the student who had broken the regulations and the faculty. Every boy who ever attended Howard college loved him.
 Professor Waldrop was the son of Rev. Andrew Jackson Waldrop, one of the Baptist 'pathfnders" of Alabama. The elder Waldrop was the first pas tor of the First Baptist church in Bir- mingham. For 50 years he labored in the Baptist work of this district
 During his active days he was prom iHthl III SiiuiN NH anu pOliliCdi CilCltS. IlS was for 20 years moderator of the Bir- mingham Baptist association and for 30 years he was superintendent of the East Lake Baptist Sunday school.
 During his younger days he never missed a political convention in this \county. He was active as a democratic leader and wielded a strong influence in the councils of the party
 In 1872 Professor Waldrop was mar red to Miss Malinda Wood, daughter of the late William J. Wood, one of the early pioneers of the Birmingham dis trict.
 He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. J. D. Heacock; one son. William J. Waldrop, probate judge, and sister, Mrs. Catherine Montgomery of East Lake.
 The funeral services will take place at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning from the First Baptist church, the funeral party leaving the residence at 9:30. The in torment will be made in the Woods private burial grounds at Woodlawn.
 The active pail bearers will be: w. l.. Tate, w. Sam Brown, Dr. E.. r Hogan. Prof. A. J. Moon, George B.. Tarrant and A. D. Smith.
 Honorary pail bearers: Judge Sam uel B. Greene. Judge J. P. Stiles. Dr. A. P. Montague, pr. George Macon, Mayor Frank P. OBrien and Col. John Huey