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     Dr. Robert G. “Bob” Lowder, Bradley University Emeritus Professor of Psychology died peacefully Sunday, May 12, 2019 at his residence in Peoria with his wife at his side.

     He was born on February 5, 1924 in Peoria to Jesse James and Ethel Florence (White) Lowder. He spent his early years on a farm in rural Glasford before moving to Peoria, where he attended Irving School and graduated from Peoria Central High School at the age of 16. Drafted into the United States Army in 1943 and initially trained as a medic, Bob was selected for the Army’s rigorous Specialized Training Program (ASTP), which provided extensive academic preparation in engineering from the universities of Arkansas and Texas A & M and prompted a variety of military assignments, one of which included interviewing returning WWII veterans under the tutelage of a respected Army psychiatrist. Thus, his career in psychology was launched. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Bradley University and PhD in industrial psychology from Purdue University.

     Following four year of teaching psychology courses at Idaho State College, Bob began his Bradley career in 1956, a career which spanned 36 years and included helping many students confront their fear of numbers and statistics. He was well known for his engaging, thorough treatment of subject matter, clarifying the obscure and his penchant for rigorous and critical thinking. In addition to teaching, Bob served terms as the director of graduate training in psychology, department chairman and was a practicing clinical psychologist early in his career. He held positions as a research psychologist for the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AF Base (ergonomics), was a National Science Foundation scholar at the University of Iowa and for many years, consulted widely with business and industry in the areas of personnel selection and marketing research. Most recently he was honored as the Department of Psychology’s 2016 Distinguished Alumnus for his ongoing support and service to the department and Bradley University.

     Bob was a member of Sigma XI (honor society for science and engineering), the American Psychological Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Phi Kappa Phi, and was a registered psychologist in the state of IL and listed in the National Register for Health Providers in Psychology.

     An accomplished sportsman, he remained active well into his eighties. Hunting, skiing, bowling and golf were among his enjoyable pursuits as well as racing his sports car along Peoria County’s roads. His greatest satisfaction, however, came from helping students maximize their potential and seeing the fruits of his labors when they returned to visit or sought his advice and counsel. Likewise, he cherished the many collegial relationships forged along the way.

     Surviving are his wife, Dr. Gretchen Oestreich, a nephew, Craig (Peg) Lowder of Geneva, IL, several great-nieces and their spouses, a great-great niece and great-great nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Charles J. “Chuck” Lowder, sister-in-law, Colleen (Grebe) Lowder, a step sister, M. Louise Varnes and niece Candace Sheckler.

     Per Bob’s wishes, his body has been donated to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois for medical research. There will be no public services or visitation. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Bradley University Psychology Department.

      Arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue, in Peoria.

May 20, 2019
May 20, 2019
I will always be indebted to Bob for so many things learned in my contact with him as a friend and when, as a Grad Student in the early 1970s, I toiled mightily in his office at Bradley trying to get him organized in an orderly fashion. Could never understand filing by leaving his books, etc., just where he left them because... as he claimed, he could recall where he left them. When I returned to Peoria in 2009 after 30 years in W,DC, we visited and brought each other up to speed. No Spring Chicken then he could still recite that damned poem I had heard him do so many times. My memory fades but I think it had to do with the Light Brigade. And I can only imagine how many times others have heard it from him. What a guy!

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May 20, 2019
May 20, 2019
I will always be indebted to Bob for so many things learned in my contact with him as a friend and when, as a Grad Student in the early 1970s, I toiled mightily in his office at Bradley trying to get him organized in an orderly fashion. Could never understand filing by leaving his books, etc., just where he left them because... as he claimed, he could recall where he left them. When I returned to Peoria in 2009 after 30 years in W,DC, we visited and brought each other up to speed. No Spring Chicken then he could still recite that damned poem I had heard him do so many times. My memory fades but I think it had to do with the Light Brigade. And I can only imagine how many times others have heard it from him. What a guy!
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December 14, 2020
Dr lowder : u got me into grad school maybe or it might have been Arthur wirtz through it by counseling me when my gf told me she had an abortion and out of it when being my grad advisor dr stallings played hard ball with me and wouldn’t let me graduate without publishing my thesis. 
    We played golf I won and u said I thought I would beat u by more the way I hyped my game. Wtf
     Your gf and I had a class together and dr wasden told me u out her through college. Good for u I kinda do the same thing now
    I admire u so much for your capaitalizing on your PhD in all fields of psychology u closed the between prof and student to friends and equals to work together to Get through grad school
   I will cherish your memory old frien

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