In Memoriam: Chadwick Karr, 1919-2014 rofessor Chadwick “Chad” Karr, born February 12, 1919, in Yakima, Washington, died October 24, 2014, in Portland. Professor Karr, a RAPS past president, and his wife, Mary, who survives him, have been longtime members of our organization. Chad’s parents, Arthur J. Karr and Mary Chadwick, owned and operated fruit orchards and a packing plant in Yakima, Washington, in which he worked fulltime until 1937 when he enrolled in the University of Washington, earning a BA in sociology in1941. After completing undergraduate studies, Chad returned to Yakima to engage in managing, operating, and expanding the Karr family’s highly successful fruit orchard business. In 1953, he sold the fruit enterprise in order to return to the University of Washington to pursue graduate studies in psychology. After earning master’s (1956) and doctoral (1958) degrees, he moved to Portland to launch his career as a psychologist and educator. During 1958-1960, he held a research psychologist appointment with the non-profit Boys & Girls Aid Society of Oregon, the state’s oldest child welfare program. The Society provides a wide range of services to children in need, and has been a leader in replacing the traditional orphanage model with foster care. This experience was especially relevant to PSU’s mission serving the metropolitan region. In 1960, Professor Karr began a 29-year distinguished instructional career at this institution. He served as department chairperson, 1966-1969, held an appointment as Research Professor, 1969-1971, and retired in 1989. His popular undergraduate and graduate-level course offerings attracted large enrollments, and he particularly liked to engage with students and assist them with improving writing skills and study techniques. He regularly chaired and participated as a member of master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation committees related to his academic specialties. To maintain a private license to practice psychology, he regular engaged in continuing education coursework. Professor Karr was well known across the University through committee service and the universality of his interests. He collaborated with colleagues in the Graduate School of Education on various teacher evaluation and instructional improvement programs. Improving his own teaching skills led him to participate in workshops involving the preparation and implementation of classroom audio-visual aid materials. Chad maintained active membership in various local, state and national psychological associations. Various public agencies and boards relied upon him for psychology-related consultative assistance. He was a longtime member of the national honorary society, Sigma Xi, in which he held several offices including president of the local chapter. As a dedicated outdoorsman, he was a 50-year Mazama member and held several offices in that organization. While living in Yakima, Chad married Marian Kershaw and they parented daughters: Sara (David Hibbs); Jennifer Cook-Karr; and Susan (deceased). After moving to Portland, they divorced, and in 1987 Chad married Mary Siebert Pintarich Karr, also an active RAPS member, who—along with their daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren—survives him. To all of them, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for their great loss. The University community—especially those of us who knew and worked with Chad—owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. His service and career contributed enormously to this institution’s development as an academic instructional and research center serving the metropolitan area and the entire state. An obituary and guestbook appeared in the Oregonian, October 28-November 2, 2014, and is available online. At his request, there will be no service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. --Victor C. Dahl, Emeritus Professor of History 5 P
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