Ohio University remembers the legacy of Dean Emeritus T. Richard 'Dick' Robe

T. Richard “Dick” Robe, alumnus and dean of Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology for 16 years, passed away on Jan. 7, 2022, in Peachtree City, Georgia. Robe’s legacy was marked by his love of teaching, profound leadership and dedicated service to the Bobcat community. Most notably, he contributed to the education of over 10,000 engineering students over the course of his career.

While Robe’s career spanned across the United States, he began his professional journey at Ohio University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1955. In addition to earning his degree, Robe met his wife Eleanora “Ellie” Robe on Ohio University’s campus in 1952. As Robe began his career as a practicing engineer, his wife was by his side every step of the way. 

After earning his degree, Robe worked briefly for the General Electric Company and served in the United States Air Force. When he completed his active-duty military service, Robe decided to return to his alma mater to pursue a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. While pursuing his graduate degree, Robe began working as an instructor in engineering at Ohio University. He quickly discovered that he had a passion for academia and helping students succeed. 

In 1963, Robe pursued a doctorate degree in applied mechanics from Stanford University. Given his credentials and experience, Robe was quickly hired by the University of Kentucky as an assistant professor — he would continue his journey as an educator in engineering. After 15 years, Robe found his way back to Ohio University, this time as dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, now known as the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. 

Robe’s leadership was regarded as collaborative, empathetic and driven. As the dean of the Russ College, Robe spearheaded efforts to strengthen the reputation of the college by making admissions selective. He also implemented named professorships to strengthen the faculty. His leadership inspired the establishment of the T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute (RLI), a program for students to develop the skills to become lifelong leaders in engineering and technology, by the Russ College’s Board of Visitors in 1996. 

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Through the RLI, Robe’s legacy lives on as the program’s current director continues to lead guided by the principles that Robe valued in its conception. In addition to the RLI, Robe helped to establish the T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Cutler Scholarship and continued to support programs and organizations after he retired. As Dean Emeritus of the Russ College, Robe also served as both an advisor in 2001 and a member of the committee in 2005 for the renowned Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, awarded biennially by the National Academy of Engineering and Ohio University to recognize achievements in bioengineering. In 2018, he made a significant philanthropic gift in support of the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi. Throughout his career and after his retirement, his dedication to the success of engineering students never waned. 

Remembering Dean Dick Robe

As students, graduates and colleagues reflect on Robe’s legacy, it is his character that is admired the most. Robe was the first director of the Robe Leadership Institute. His belief was that leadership was built upon a strong foundation of character. He instilled in students that they must know themselves before they could begin to lead others. His values are still reflected in the program’s teachings today, led by current RLI director and mechanical engineering chair Greg Kremer. 

“Competence, character and vision was his mantra,” Kremer said. “I keep a booklet from when he was the director to make sure I incorporate those values into the current seminars.”

The impact of his RLI seminars lived on in other ways too. Charles “Chuck” Stuckey, RLI speaker, board member on the Russ College Board of Visitors and alumnus (BSME ’66), knew Robe as both a student and a colleague. In the mid-1960s, Robe was Stuckey’s instructor in statics and dynamics. 

“It was his personal objective to help students understand the ‘fun’ of these two courses,” remembered Stuckey. “He was one of my favorite instructors because he really cared about his students and his class.”

After graduation, Stuckey’s path did not cross again with Robe’s until he retired as the dean of the Russ College. Robe, however, was leading the RLI and invited Stuckey to be a speaker. After nearly 40 years, Stuckey noted that Robe still had a passion for teaching and learning.

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“It was obvious Dick still had that flair and spark about the students. He was so positive about the students who came through the RLI,” Stuckey said. 

Stuckey remembered that Robe was a keen listener, and his objective was to learn about the people around him rather than speak about himself. While he was an accomplished instructor, consultant, engineer and academic, he seldom, if ever, drew attention to his own successes.
“His morals, background and successes were the basis for the success he had at OHIO. He was one of my favorite people to have been involved with,” Stuckey said.

Robe valued excellence in the classroom and in leadership, but he was able to maintain a humble attitude, truly exhibiting servant leadership through his own actions. According to his colleagues, he sought to create a caring and supportive atmosphere at the Russ College. 

“We hope to continue to build this community of support that Dean Robe envisioned for the Russ College,” said Mei Wei, dean of the Russ College. 

Dean Robe’s legacy lives on through the thousands of students he impacted, as they pursue careers in engineering, technology, aviation, medicine and more. He will be remembered as a kind leader who embraced challenges and always prioritized creating to improve the quality of life.

“We strive to honor Dean Robe every day by taking accountability as leaders, prioritizing empathy and continuing to shape our students as great engineers and community members,” Wei said. 

Memorial Service at Ohio University planned for May 14

A public memorial service to honor Dean Robe will be held on Saturday, May 14, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Walter Hall Rotunda on the Ohio University campus in Athens. A reception will be held following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701, for the T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute Professorship Endowment [please note designation on memo line].

Robe’s full obituary can be viewed here.