ADRIAN — Stanley Caine, a retired president of Adrian College and a longtime community volunteer, died on Dec. 29. He was 85.
Caine was born in South Dakota and grew up around small college campuses, including Jamestown College in North Dakota, Macalester College in Minnesota, and Illinois College, where his father served as president. He pursued his own undergraduate studies at Macalester, earning a bachelor’s degree in history, and later went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
He began his career as a college professor and later moved into administration. He served as Adrian College’s 16th president from 1989 to 2005. Projects undertaken under his leadership included construction of the Merillat Sport & Fitness Center, expansion of the Shipman Library, and transforming the former Ridge Gymnasium into what is now the Caine Student Center, renamed in his honor following his presidency.
In retirement, he served on several nonprofit boards. He was active with the Rotary Club, Lenawee Community Foundation, and Lenawee County Education Foundation. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Adrian.
He had been living for the past six years with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, and by their children, Rebecca, Kathryn and David and their families.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, at First United Methodist Church, 1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and the service will be at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Alice Ford officiating.
Arrangements are in care of Wagley Funeral Homes. Click here for a complete obituary.
