Fred Hulme

Fred Sterling Hulme, Jr.
Dec. 4, 1949-Feb. 23, 2014

Fred Sterling Hulme, Jr., of Waco, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2014, at his residence, with his family at his side. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 27, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, with Dr. Byron Weathersbee officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, at Oakcrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Fred was born on December 4, 1949, in Waco to Frances Josephine Collier and Fred Sterling Hulme, Sr. He graduated as valedictorian from Linden-Kildaire High School in 1968. Four years later, he graduated summa cum laude and third in his class from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was recognized as the first recipient of the Outstanding Mathematics Major Award. In 1975 he earned a Master of Statistics from A&M University.

While at Baylor, he met his wife, Carolyn, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. They were blessed with a daughter, Emily, in 1988.

After working a short time as an actuarial analyst, Fred joined the Baylor University business faculty as a lecturer and was named a senior lecturer the first year that the new designation was offered. He taught in the Management Information Systems Department as well as in the Executive MBA Program, frequently traveling to Dallas and Austin to teach classes in settings more convenient for graduate students.

He also taught in the Baylor in Great Britain Study Abroad Program in 2005 and 2007 as well as the Baylor European Entrepreneurship Experience in 2013.

Throughout his tenure at Baylor, Fred received numerous awards, including recognition from Baylor as the Guidestone Outstanding Professor in 2009, recognition from his colleagues with the Hankamer School of Business Teaching Excellence Award in 1997, recognition from Baylor Athletics with the Outstanding Professors Award for six years, and recognition from his students as the Most Popular Business Professor in 2005 and 2010-2011.

The awards he cherished the most came from seeing his students succeed. His patience and gifted teaching ability helped many students achieve goals well beyond what they initially imagined they could do.

Fred also contributed to his field of statistics and quantitative analysis by writing textbooks and journal articles, consulting companies on statistical issues, and presenting talks at conferences and workshops. He served as a course coordinator, tutor, and faculty mentor and was a member of the Decision Science Institute.

Besides his contributions to the Baylor community, he volunteered with numerous organizations, including serving as PTA treasurer and helping with Mission Waco, Kid’s Hope, and Caritas. He was active at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, where he served in his Sunday school department and on the finance committee.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Josh Gibson; sister, Carolyn Monroe; brother and sister-in-law, David and Diane Hulme; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baylor Endowed Scholarship Fund in the name of Fred Sterling Hulme, Jr., One Bear Place #97026, Waco, TX 76798-97026.