Famous Drury alum Bob Barker dies at 99

Bob Barker, one of the most famous graduates of Drury University and a donor to the Springfield school, has died.

Barker, 99, died Aug. 26, according to multiple media reports.

Barker donated a cumulative $3.1 million to his Springfield alma mater in the years after graduating with a bachelor's in economics from what was then called Drury College in 1947, according to a news release.

"Bob was a wonderful, caring person whose passion for his chosen causes burned brightly. He made a difference in the world, and he certainly made a difference for Drury students with his generous gifts to the university," Drury President John Beuerlein said in the release.

His donations to Drury supported the university's animal studies program, established the Dorothy Jo Barker Endowed Professorship of Animal Rights and funded an endowed scholarship and an endowed experiential learning grant fund for students pursuing a minor or credential in animal studies at Drury, according to the release.

An animal rights activist, Barker was known to end episodes of "The Price is Right" with, “Have your pet spayed or neutered.”

After graduating from Drury, Barker served as a fighter pilot at the end of World War II, worked a stint in Springfield on local radio station KTTS and hosted "The Price is Right" for 35 years, according to past reporting. He's also a graduate of Central High School.