Harold Richard “Sully” Sullivan, CEAS ’48, did not like to sit still. Hiking and gardening were among his favorite pursuits. At 90, he visited the Grand Canyon National Park for the first time, completing a six-mile hike. Into his 92nd year, he took daily hikes near his Scottsdale, Arizona home.
Harold Richard “Sully” Sullivan, CEAS ’48 and his wife, Betty Sullivan.
Sullivan was always energetic and grew up with a love of fixing things. He liked spending time in his dad’s machine shop in Dayton, Ohio. Perhaps it was no surprise that he enrolled in mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He was the eldest of four and the first in his family to attend college.
“I think engineering was natural for him,” says his daughter, Barbara Pringle. “He was really good at math, liked the precision of engineering, problem-solving and the advancements that could be made in different technologies.”
She remembers him as a wonderful father, husband and friend who shared his love of the outdoors and hiking with her. Sullivan died in 2013 at the age of 92.
Harold Sullivan with his parents on UC's campus. The photo was taken around 1947 or 1948.
An estate gift from Pringle and her husband, Thomas Pringle, honors Sullivan with the creation of the Harold Richard Sullivan Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship supports mechanical engineering students at the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science with a preference to students who are current or former service members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“I know my dad always appreciated the education he got at UC,” Pringle says. “It gave him a lot of confidence and a great start to his career.”
“He worked really hard and was a saver,” she added. “I wanted to do something with some of the money he left us.”
Sullivan enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, interrupting his education to serve in World War II. After officer training school, his company crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a ship, often hearing explosions from fighting.
Once the company arrived in France, Sullivan’s skills were used repairing equipment, trucks and tanks. This continued as they made their way to Belgium and Germany.
After the war ended, Sullivan returned to Cincinnati, finished his degree and worked as an engineer at Frigidaire. It is there that he met his wife, Betty. They were married for 62 years until she died in 2012. The Sullivans raised two daughters — Pringle and her sister, Susan M. Sullivan, JD, Law ’77.
“His engineering background formed the basis for his approach to life,” said Susan Sullivan. “He was meticulous, precise, organized in all things and always remained a strong supporter of UC.”
Sullivan’s successful career as an engineer took him to the National Gypsum Company and positions in Ohio, New York, Arkansas and California.
Students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science gain knowledge to design, manufacture and operate machines and mechanical systems that work safely and efficiently to advance today’s society. Students learn to use the principles of force, energy and motion to design, manufacture and operate machines and mechanical systems that work in a safe, efficient, economical and predictable fashion.
They can customize their experience with more than 600 organizations and build impressive resumes and a professional network through UC’s nationally recognized co-op program.
The generosity of donors like the Pringles gives students access to higher education and successful careers.
“I am thankful to the Pringles for honoring Harold “Sully” Sullivan’s many accomplishments and love for UC by helping future engineers,” said John Weidner, PhD, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. “Scholarships make college a reality for thousands of students, allowing them to become the problem-solvers our world needs.”
“My parents always emphasized education in our home,” says Pringle. “It makes Tom and me feel good that we are honoring my dad and supporting students.”
Featured image at top: Barbara and Tom Pringle, left, with son Bryan, his wife Sara and granddaughters Caroline, Amelia and Mae. Photo/Provided.
Your generosity has illuminated what’s next: Student success beyond the classroom. Bearcats winning on the Big 12 stage. The gift of discovery for the health of our community. When you give to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, you invest in the problem-solvers of tomorrow.
March 22, 2021
University of Cincinnati alumna Andrea Zahumensky proves that an engineering degree can provide a valuable foundation for a successful career in any field. Zahumensky earned her degree from in industrial engineering in 2000 and she carved her path from engineering through IT and into marketing. Since 2017, she has been the Chief Marketing Officer of KFC U.S., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, leading marketing, advertising, media and digital initiatives. Prior to joining KFC, Zahumensky had a 20-year career at P&G. She is being honored with the 2020 Herman Schneider Distinguished Alumni Award from the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS).
July 14, 2020
SHP, an architectural and design firm based in Cincinnati, hosts an annual golf tournament to raise funds in memory of a former employee to provide scholarships to two incoming students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati. Josh Gentry, a UC alumnus, worked for SHP at the time of his death at age 27.
September 9, 2021
The University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science is honoring alumnus William J Kramer Jr. with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest alumni honor. Bill Kramer led General Tool Company for 50 years and was supportive of engineering students through committees to raise funds for scholarships and by hosting more than 100 co-op students through the years.
University of Cincinnati
2600 Clifton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45220
513-556-0000
University of Cincinnati | 2600 Clifton Ave. | Cincinnati, OH 45221 | ph: 513-556-6000
Alerts | Clery and HEOA Notice | Notice of Non-Discrimination | eAccessibility Concern | Privacy Statement | Free Speech | Copyright Information
© 2025 University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
2600 Clifton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45220
513-556-0000
© 2025 University of Cincinnati
