By Alyssa Rupp —
Believed to be the oldest graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Stout, Henry Hulter recently passed away on Jan. 16 at his home in San Rafael, California.
Henry passed in his sleep at the age of 107, despite a normal daily routine and weekly trips to a community center, where his favorite activity was the stationary bike. His final days were active, and he was very mentally healthy, according to his family.
Henry was one of the most friendly people you could come across and his wonderful laugh made him no stranger to anyone he met. His daughter, Marilynn Hulter, of Denver, Colorado, said he valued his independence and had a profound love for his family and anyone he spent time with.
Hulter was born on Nov. 20, 1907 in Superior, Wisconsin, where he started his college career. He played on University of Wisconsin–Superior’s undefeated, 1931 football team and then later chose Stout as a place to continue his education. During his time at Stout, he was in the Arts and Crafts Club and the social fraternity K.F.S, which emphasized knowledge, friendship and society. He graduated in 1938, among 80 other students, with a degree in industrial education.
Henry’s degree served him well as he moved to Detroit after graduation to build tract homes with a construction crew and eventually taught shop, drafting and architecture classes at Cooley High School in Detroit for over three decades. Finally, he earned a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University, also in Detroit.
Hulter, whose wife passed away in 1992, leaves behind two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.