Thomas Andrew Sargent  

Thomas Andrew Sargent son of Thomas Edward Sargent & Inez (Secrest) Sargent

Thomas Andrew Sargent, 90, passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2023 in Muncie after a long period of declining health. A beloved son, husband, father, and grandfather and a respected educator and community leader whose impact was felt widely in Indiana and especially in his hometown of Muncie, Tom will be missed by all who knew him. Tom was born on April 24, 1933 in Indianapolis to Inez Secrest Sargent, a professional musician from Muncie, and Thomas Edward Sargent, an envelope salesman and amateur theater actor from Chicago. When Tom was a year old, his father died unexpectedly, prompting Inez to return to Muncie, where Tom grew up and attended school. As a student at Muncie Central (class of 1951), Tom excelled in academics and leadership activities, establishing a lifelong pattern. Voted by his classmates as "brainiest" and "most likely to succeed," Tom was sports editor of the school paper and twice won Quill and Scroll journalism honor society awards for distinguished sports writing. He was also president of the Indiana High School Press Association, president of Central's honor society, and co-founder of the Criterion Club, a student discussion forum. Tom attended DePauw University on a full-tuition Rector scholarship, graduating in 1955. He majored in political science, enrolled in Air Force ROTC, pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and was news editor for The DePauw; he also wrote for The Muncie Star during his college summers. In his senior year, he was elected president of both the senior class and student senate, and was awarded the Walker Cup, given to the student who has contributed the most to DePauw in their four years. After earning his B.A., Tom trained to fly the B-47 bomber as a pilot in the Air Force (1955-58). He then completed an M.A. at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (1959) before deciding he could best make a living as a banker. Between 1959 and 1966, Tom worked at First National City Bank of New York (now Citibank) in New York, London, and Beirut, and at the Irving Trust Company in New York. It was during these years that Tom met his first wife, Cecily Fox-Williams of London. Married in 1965, Tom and Cecily would go on to have two children, Sarah and Andrew, and share 20 happy years together in Muncie before Cecily's untimely passing in 1985 at age 46. Tom resumed his graduate studies at Tufts in the late 1960s, earning a Ph.D. in International Relations in 1969 before returning to Muncie for a two-decade career as a political science professor at Ball State University. A respected teacher and scholar, Tom made his most notable mark as a campus and community leader who, as one colleague put it, "enhanced the reputation of the political science department as well as that of the university." Among his many leadership roles, Tom served as director of Ball State's London Center (1973-74), chair of the political science department (1977-80), chair of the university senate (1977-79), associate dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities (1982-85), executive director of the Indiana Consortium for International Programs (1982-88), and director of Ball State's E.B. & Bertha C. Ball Center for University and Community Programs (1987-89). In the early years of public television in Muncie, Tom served on the board of directors of WIPB-TV and often appeared as a moderator or interviewer on the station's public-affairs programs. In all of these endeavors, Tom was well known for his good humor and poised professionalism. At his retirement dinner in 1989, colleagues praised him for his "jaunty, courteous presence" around "colleagues and students alike." Another described him as "a model of civility, composure, careful attention, and good will" and "an extraordinary study in honesty coupled with discretion," but one who was "tough as nails... when matters were at the crunch." As another sign of this high regard, Tom was appointed Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Director Emeritus of the E.B. Ball Center upon his retirement. He was also named a Sagamore of the Wabash (1988) by Governor Robert D. Orr for his distinguished service to the state of Indiana. In 1987, Tom married Muncie philanthropist and community volunteer Frances Petty, who had lost her own husband, Edmund F. Petty, the same year Cecily died. Tom also became stepfather to Frank and Elizabeth Petty. During these years, Tom and Frances traveled often, spending winters in Naples, Florida and summers in Leland, Michigan and Culver, Indiana. They were together for three decades until Frances's death in 2017. In his retirement years, Tom expanded his role as a community leader by continuing to serve on-and often lead-the boards of numerous arts and non-profit organizations. He was president of the board of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra (1991-93); president of the Delaware County Historical Alliance (1987-91); chairman of the Minnetrista Cultural Center board of governors (1992-94); first vice president of the Muncie Civic Theater board of directors (1992-94); an at-large member of the Indiana Real Estate Commission (1983-91); and a longtime trustee of DePauw University, his alma mater. Tom also contributed to the boards of Arts Indiana, Inc. and the Muncie Children's Museum, and was active in the United Methodist Church, both at the state level and through his membership at High Street Church in Muncie. Tom's knowledge of Muncie and his skills as a writer and researcher led him to author three short books on Muncie-related topics: The House and Its History (1989), on the E.B. Ball house; The Muncie Symphony Orchestra: 50 Seasons of Music (1998); and Bracken House: A History (2000). As anyone who knew him could attest, Tom had a distinctive personal style. A self-admitted Anglophile, he rarely appeared in public without a coat and tie, and he carried himself with the cheerful formality of a British diplomat. He was also self-deprecating, quick-witted, and a strong believer in the value of not taking oneself too seriously. "Relax and enjoy it" was one of his favorite pieces of advice. Tom had several cherished pastimes. He loved reading the newspaper, walking his dogs, going out to lunch with friends, attending Rotary, relaxing before dinner with a glass (or two) of scotch, eating dessert, and spending time with his family at Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver. He was also an architecture aficionado with a special admiration for modernism, and a sports car enthusiast who drove sensible Buick station wagons. Preceding Tom in death were his father, Thomas Edward Sargent (1934); mother, Inez Secrest Sargent (1994); first wife, Cecily Fox-Williams Sargent (1985); and second wife, Frances Petty Sargent (2017). Surviving him are a daughter, Sarah (Charles) Hetzel, of Franklin, Tennessee; a son, Andrew (Rebecca) Sargent, of Malvern, Pennsylvania; a stepson, Frank (Angie) Petty, of Traverse City, Michigan; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth (Mike) McClinchie, of Larchmont, New York; two additional stepchildren, Rick (Jane) Petty, of New Rochelle, New York, and Jill (Chris Clayhold) Petty, of Portland, Oregon; and 13 grandchildren: Wills and Cecily Hetzel; Sylvia and Miranda Sargent; Elliott, Edmund, and Eli Petty; Margaret and Abigail Kaye and Maddy McClinchie; Alec Petty; and Nick Petty and Zach Clayhold. A Memorial Service will be held in Muncie on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11:30 am at First Presbyterian Church, 1400 W. Riverside Ave. Friends and family may call at First Presbyterian Church on July 13 from 10:00 am until service time at 11:30 am. In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests that donations in Tom's memory be directed to the Fox-Williams Scholarship, a fund established by Tom to support Ball State students studying abroad in England. For more information, please contact the Ball State University Foundation at (765) 285-8375. Donations may also be made to DePauw University Annual Giving at (765) 658-4085. - egacy. com by The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory - Jul. 4, 2023.

Ball State University Archives MSS 202; R46 Thomas A. Sargent Papers, 1950-1999 2 Box, .7 cu. ft. Biography

Thomas Andrew Sargent received his B.A. from DePaw University, and his A.M., M.A.L.D., and Ph.D. from Fletcher School Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

With, First National City Bank, New York City, 1959-1964; assistant accountant, First National City Bank, New York City, 1963-1964; assistant secretary, Irving Trust Company. New York City, 1964-1966; member of faculty, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1969-1989; director London Center, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1973-1974; chairman political science department, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1977-1980; professor political science, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1979-1989; professor emeritus, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, since 1989; acting assistant to dean College Sciences and Humanities, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1981-1982; associate dean College Sciences and Humanities, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1982-1985; director special programs Minnetrista Center, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1985-1987; director, E.B. Ball Center, Muncie, 1987-1989; director emeritus, E.B. Ball Center, Muncie, since 1989.

Throughout his career Sargent served in positions in several professional organizations which included: Director of the E. B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, at-large member of the Indiana Real Estate Commission, Minnetrista Cultural Center Board of Governors, Delaware Historical Alliance President, and the Executive Director of the Indiana Consortium for International Programs. He was the second vice president of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra board as well.

Board directors, executive vice president Eastern Indiana Community television, Muncie, 1974-1976, president, 1976-1977. Member national board governors Ripon Society, Washington, 1976-1984. Member Indianapolis Committee Foreign Relations, 1977-2004, committee foreign relations Central Indiana, since 2004, board directors, since 2005. Board directors History Muncie, Inc., 1979-1985, president, 1980. Board directors Muncie Civic Theatre Association, 1978-1981, 90-96, 1st vice president, 1992-1996. Executive director Indiana Consortium for International Programs, 1982-1988. Member Indiana Real Estate Commission, 1983-1991. Trustee DePauw University, since 1983. Board directors Muncie Symphony Orchestra, 1985-1995, president, 1991-1993. Member board governors Minnetrista Cultural Center, Muncie, 1989-1994, chairman, 1992-1994. Trustee Malpas Trust, 1990—2009, president, 1997—2008. Board directors Arts Indiana, Inc., 1992-1999, Muncie Children's Museum, 1994-2000, vice president, 1996-1997, president 1997. Trustee Indiana Colleges Indiana, since 1996, United Methodist Memorial Home, Warren, Indiana, 1997-2006. Member strategy council North Indiana Conference United Methodist Church, 2000-2008. 1st lieutenant United States Air Force, 1955-1958. Member American Political Science Association, Delaware County History Alliance (board directors 1980-1986, 87-95, president, 1987-1991), Society Professional Journalists, Delaware Country Club, Maxinkuckee Y acht Club (Culver, Indiana), Rotary, Phi Delta Theta. Due to his extensive service to Indiana, Sargent received the distinguished designation Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Robert D. Orr in 1989.

He is author of The Muncie Symphony Orchestra: Fifty Seasons of Music; Bracken House: A History and The House and Its History (Ball State University, 1989), which describes the E. B. Ball house on Minnetrista Bo ulevard in Muncie, Ind. Professor Emeritus.

Life Trustee (Non-voting) of DePauw University - Thomas A. Sargent '55 Professor Emeritus, Political Science Director Emeritus, E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center Ball State University Muncie, IN

married Cecily Constance Fox-Williams Sargent Birth 1 Apr 1939 Greater London, England Death Aug. 14, 1985 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Burial Beech Grove Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware, Indiana daughter of Jack Williams & Cecily Beatrice Fox

Cicily Sargent, 46, former president of the Muncie Symphony League and a leader in other civic and cultural activities, died Thursday in Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, after a brief illness.

She was the wife of Dr. Thomas A. Sargent, acting associate dean of the Ball State University College of Science and Humanities. The family home is at 801 N. Briar Road.

Mrs. Sargent was born in London, England. She was educated at Miss Faunce's School, London, and Wycombe Abbey School, High Wycombe, Oxfordshire. She received secretarial training at Queens School, London, and was employed for 3 years at J. Arthur Rank Ltd., London.

She moved to Muncie with her husband in 1969.

Mrs. Sargent was a member of the board of directors of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and had been a board member and president of the Muncie Symphony League. During the spring of this year, she led the symphony's subscription drive and organized the board of the Eastern Indiana Youth Orchestra.

She also was on the board of directors of Alpha chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority and had been chapter vice president and acting president. She had been board chairman of Alpha Center. Mrs. Sargent was a member of the board of the Riley-Jones Club and corresponding secretary of University Wives and Women. She was a member of Muncie Art Students League and the Art Alliance. She was chairman of the Arts Committee of High Street United Methodist Church.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Andrew, and daughter, Sarah, both at home; a step-grandmother, Mrs. Charles J. Fox of Laguna Hills, Calif.; two aunts, Julian Heathcote-Williams of London, and Muriel Tester of Somerset, England, and several cousins.

Memorials may be sent to the Muncie Symphony Orchestra Sustaining Fund. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in High Street United Methodist Church. Cremation will follow. Family will receive callers at the church an hour before services Saturday. Meeks Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

They Had:

Sarah Beatrice Sargent and Charles Hetzel Jr. were married June 18 in Muncie, Ind. The bride has a bachelor's degree from DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind. She is pursuing a public relations career. Her parents are Thomas and Frances Sargent of Muncie and the late Cecily Constance Sargent. Her father is a professor at Ball State University in Muncie. Her stepmother is a homemaker. The groom has a bachelor's degree from DePauw University. He is an employee benefits consultant with Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire. chicago tribune
William Hetzel
Cecily Hetzel


Andrew Fox Sargent married Rebecca
Sylvia Sargent
Miranda Sargent

Married 2nd 1987 Frances Bramble Birth October 9, 1940 Richmond, Virginia DEATH 13 Dec 2017 77) Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana BURIAL Beech Grove Cemetery Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana daughter of William Lang Bramble and Frances Huntley married 1st Edmund F Petty