{"id":4643,"date":"2012-08-14T12:45:30","date_gmt":"2012-08-14T16:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2026-03-11T18:28:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:28:51","slug":"former-uf-coe-alum-dr-adelbert-bert-j-purga-dies-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/alumni\/2012\/08\/14\/former-uf-coe-alum-dr-adelbert-bert-j-purga-dies-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Former UF COE Alum, Dr. Adelbert (Bert) J. Purga, dies"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dr. Bert Purga passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Cape Canaveral Hospital at the age of 62.\u00a0 The Merritt Island resident was provost of the Palm Bay campus from 1994 until 2007.\u00a0 During his tenure, the campus underwent numerous expansion projects.<\/p>\n

The New York native started his career as a teacher at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, NY.\u00a0 He later earned his doctorate degree in education from the University of Florida in 1979.\u00a0 Dr. Purga was recognized by the University of Florida as an Institute of Higher Education Outstanding Graduate. \u00a0\u00a0He also served as dean and president in the Eastern Iowa Community College system.<\/p>\n

His surviving immediate family includes: his wife, Margaret, and his son, Jonathan.\u00a0 Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, August 14th at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Merritt Island, to celebrate his life.<\/p>\n


\"Dr.
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Dr. Bert Purga passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Cape Canaveral Hospital at the age of 62. The Merritt Island resident was provost of the Palm Bay campus from 1994 until 2007.<\/p>\n

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