Dr. Frederick A. Grohsmeyer Jr.

RICHMOND, Ind. – Dr. Frederick A. Grohsmeyer Jr., age 89, of Richmond, died Saturday, July 21, 2012, at Friends Fellowship Community. A native of Canton, Ohio, he was born to Frederick A. and Margaret Emma Kerl Grohsmeyer on April 7, 1923. Fred graduated from McKinley High School in Canton in 1941 and then served in the United States Army Air Corp as a meteorologist from 1943 to 1946, when he started his education. He received his Bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in general Psychology, Master’s degree from Northwestern University in Clinical Psychology, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Industrial Psychology from Purdue University. In 1949, he joined the Earlham College faculty as assistant professor of Psychology and later as staff assistant in the Executive Training Program. In 1956, Fred left Earlham to work in the fields of industrial counseling and consulting. During the years he was away from Earlham, Fred was associated with the firms of Rohrer, Hibler, and Replogle, and Booz, Allen, and Hamilton. He returned to Earlham in 1958 as associate professor of Psychology and Director of the Institute for Executive Growth of Earlham College. In 1964, Fred was appointed professor for the psychology department and Director of the Eastern Indiana Center (the night school of Earlham College). Due to the growth of the Center, he was one of the several Richmond men who founded Indiana University East and was its first Director, from 1971 to 1975. Fred always had an interest in Adult Education and enjoyed the mixture of ages in the classroom. He returned to the classroom and served as Chair of the Behavioral Science Division and Professor of Psychology. His numerous community activities included: serving on the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Association and was active in the United Way of Wayne County, Yolk Fellow Associates, the Richmond Industrial Ministry and chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis drive. Fred also served on the Board of the Richmond Symphony. He was a member and past president of Rotary International and a member of the American Psychological Association, International Association of Applied Psychology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Society of Sigma Xi. Dr. Grohsmeyer has served as analyst, coordinator, lecturer and instructor in fields of Industrial Management, International Organization and Psychological Testing, and human relations and in-plant training for industries in the Richmond area and other parts of the United States and Canada. He was very active in the First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and an Elder. He retired from Indiana University East after 20 years of service in December of 1991. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Sarah Alice “Sally” Dudley Grohsmeyer, to whom he was married on June 19, 1949; daughter, Margaret Anne (Michael) Judson of Middlebury, Indiana; and two grandchildren, Breanne Judson of Middlebury, Indiana and Aaron (Abby) Judson of Muncie, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his son, Erik Grohsmeyer, who died in 1999, and his parents. Visitation for Dr. Frederick A. Grohsmeyer Jr. will be from 3 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Entombment will be in Earlham Memorial Mausoleum at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012, with Pastor John H. Hollis officiating and military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. Memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church, 100 North 10th Street, Richmond, with Pastor David A. Layman officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 100 North 10th Street, Richmond, IN 47374; Indiana University East for the Fred Grohsmeyer Psychology Scholarship, 2325 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374; or Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Frederick A. Grohsmeyer Jr.

April 7, 1923 - July 21, 2012