(KTTS News) — The Springfield area is mourning the loss of Bobby Allison, known for his commitment to philanthropic causes.
Allison died this week at the age of 74.
He donated millions of dollars to local projects around the city, including many at Missouri State University.
Allison owned Custom Protein, formerly Southwest Byproducts, for 46 years.
Press Release from Missouri State University
SPRINGFIELD — The Missouri State University community mourns the loss of Bobby Allison. He passed away yesterday (Sept. 7).
Allison, who attended Parkview High School, has been a long-time friend and supporter of the university. He was awarded the Bronze Bear in 2016.
“Bobby Allison helped transform Missouri State University,” said MSU President Clif Smart. “Our students’ daily lives have been improved by his immense generosity.”
Brent Dunn, executive director of the Missouri State University Foundation, said Allison will be remembered for his enthusiasm for athletics and for giving back to the community.
“You can’t imagine a more humble or private person than Bobby Allison,” Dunn said. “He wanted to enrich all students’ lives – from toddlers through college. He cared about the student experience, which motivated him to give to athletics, recreation and other areas of the university.”
Allison also was a Governors Medallion holder, indicating that he contributed more than $5 million to the Missouri State University Foundation.
Allison’s legacy at MSU
A significant gift from Allison in 2013 supported recreational facilities improvements for student recreation and intercollegiate athletics programs. In recognition, the facilities were named for him and his late mother, Betty.
These improvements included:
- The Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium, home to MSU’s men’s and women’s soccer teams and women’s track and field.
- The Betty and Bobby Allison North Stadium.
- The Betty and Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball courts.
- The Betty and Bobby Allison Recreation Fields, which includes two multipurpose turf fields and an open area for other activities.
A longtime supporter of numerous projects in the Ozarks, Allison also contributed funds to support construction of the Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center, a portion of which was endowed to help support intramural programs at Missouri State.
He also was a main contributor to the Greenwood Laboratory School’s Betty & Bobby Allison Event Center and the playground area at the Child Development Center on MSU’s campus.
Press Release from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame joins with family, friends and the Springfield community in mourning the passing of Bobby Allison, who passed away on Thursday.
Allison was a major supporter financially across numerous causes in southwest Missouri. The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted him as a Sports Philanthropist and Humanitarian with the Class of 2021.
A Parkview High School graduate, Allison never forgot where he came from. He was raised by a single mother, whom he gives all the credit, working several jobs to make sure he had what everyone else had.
He went on to own Custom Protein, formerly Southwest Byproducts, for 46 years.
A few years ago, the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Championship presented by Dr Pepper sought a sponsor for a youth golf tournament. From 2015 to 2021, the schedule included the Betty & Bobby Allison’s Junior Pro-Am, with the pros teaching middle school and high school golfers great tips while competing in a scramble. That event was in addition to the Betty Allison’s Women’s Pro-Am. Both golf experiences helped the PCCC gift nearly $1 million annually to almost 50 Ozarks children’s charities.
Meanwhile, Allison’s significant gifts in 2013 to Missouri State University led to improvements of athletics facilities and student recreation. Now MSU’s soccer, women’s track and field as well as field hockey and beach volleyball programs have first-class facilities – all named for his mother and for him.
He also contributed to construction of MSU’s Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center and recently provided the lead gift toward MSU’s Greenwood Laboratory School’s Betty & Bobby Allison Event Center.
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has benefitted from his generosity. For one, he worked with numerous donor groups on the Betty & Bobby Allison Miracle League Ballfield at Dan Kinney Park, but there are many others:
· Completely renovated the 9-hole, Par-3 Oscar Blom golf course, now known as the Betty Allison Junior Golf Course at Oscar Blom. The Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation also ensures kids play for free Sunday-Thursday.
· Developed and funded a four-hole junior course at Rivercut Golf Course.
· Has worked with the Springfield Cardinals to develop the Betty & Bobby Allison Community Suite at Hammons Field for use by youth and non-profit organizations.
Recently, Allison stepped forward to help create soccer fields for Sporting Springfield’s youth club.
Outside of sports, Help Give Hope, Harmony House, Springfield Dream Center, Lost and Found, and a neonatal care unit at Mercy Hospital have helped thousands.
Harmony House is the only domestic violence center in Greene County, and Allison’s lead gift sparked the $6 million shelter toward its 2017 opening.
