Skip to main content
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Search

Full Article

Visit Apply Give

Obituary | Cary D. “Bud” Thorp Jr.

Obituary | Cary D. “Bud” Thorp Jr.
Cary D. “Bud” Thorp Jr. served as a faculty member at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business for 33 years.

Cary Dean “Bud” Thorp Jr., 86, associate professor of management (emeritus), died July 11 surrounded by his family.

He was a member of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty for 33 years. He became a celebrated educator and respected scholar in human resource management. He earned the College of Business Distinguished Teaching Award in 1981. He taught generations of Huskers and served as an advisor for the student organization Society for Human Resource Management before retiring in 2003. Thorp was honored by the Lincoln Human Resource Management Association with their honorary life membership.

Thorp was born January 31, 1936, in New London, Missouri, and raised in Columbia. He studied journalism at the University of Missouri and ultimately earned a Ph.D. in business in 1970.

In his spare time, he was an avid dancer with his wife of 61 years, Peggy, and spent many years in the faculty dance club and at the regular dances held at the Auld Center in Lincoln. Known for his love of animals, he volunteered with the Pony Club for 20 years as well as with therapy dogs.

Thorp is survived by his wife Peggy Thorp, daughters Mindy Hunke (Chris) and Shawna Lichtenwalner (Craig), and granddaughter Katie Hunke.

A celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, July 16 at Butherus, Maser and Love, 4040 A Street, Lincoln. Visitation with the family present is 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 15. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Healing Hearts Therapy Dogs or Capital Humane Society. Condolences can be left online on Legacy.com.

Published: July 15, 2022