Thomas Sutherland, CSU Professor And Beirut Hostage, Dies At 85

By Andrea Flores

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado State University community is mourning the loss of a Colorado icon.

Former professor, Tom Sutherland, has passed away at the age of 85. He made national headlines when he was taken hostage in Lebanon in 1985.

On almost every anniversary of Sutherland's kidnapping, bagpipes played for the Scottish-born professor at the Oval on the school's campus.

Loved by students and staff, Sutherland taught Animal Science at CSU for 26 years until he left to become a dean at American University in Lebanon. He was kidnapped and taken hostage by Islamic terrorists in 1985, and held captive for more than six years until he was finally freed in 1991.

Thousands packed the Moby Arena to hear Sutherland speak for the first time, excited to welcome back a hometown hero.

Sutherland said Colorado's mountainsides and sunny skies were what he missed most while in captivity.

"It was fantastic to see the sun shining, the fresh air," Sutherland said when he arrived. "I can't tell you how good it feels."

While friends and family may have spent year without Sutherland, CSU says they'll always have the comfort of knowing their hearts are with him in the highlands.

Sutherland leaves behind three daughters and his wife, Jean. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.