Dr. Walter Leon Sullins, 61, Terre Haute, IN, formerly of Osawatomie, died last week in his home.

He was born April 19, 1939 in Parker, a son of Walter Raymond and Flossie Abigail Alexander Sullins. He attended school in Osawatomie, graduating in 1957 from Osawatomie High School. He completed requirements for a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and for a master's degree in math education from Pittsburg State University. He went on to earn his doctor of philosophy in educational research design, measurement and statistics in 1970 from the University of Maryland.

He and Wanda Carrol were married in 1963. They made their home in Grandview, MO for two years. Dr. Sullins taught mathematics at Ruskin High School in Kansas City, MO from 1962 until 1965. At that time they moved to Silver Spring, MD. Their marriage ended in divorce in the early 1980s.

Dr. Sullins had been residing in Terre Haute, IN since 1968. His career with Indiana State University began as an assistant professor of educational psychology. Since 1969 he had served as director of the Center of Educational Research, advising hundreds of students on their master's theses, specialist projects and dissertations. He was promoted to associate professor in 1971 and to professor in 1975.

He taught a variety of courses in statistics, research design and measurement at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1976 he was presented with the Caleb Mills Distinguished Teacher Award. He served on more than 100 doctoral committees in his career at Indiana State. He also authored two mathematics books.

After working at the university for 30 years, he retired in 1999.

Those preceding him death were his parents and a sister, Violette Bastion.

Survivors include his brother, Max E. Sullins of Bonner Springs, and a sister, Reita Woodall of rural Paola.

Services were in Osawatomie Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home of Osawatomie. Memorials were to the Osawatomie High School scholarship fund.

Published in the Osawatomie Graphic December 6, 2000