With sadness, we share that Dr. Robert G. Eason, a professor emeritus in the UNC Greensboro Psychology Department and founding head of its esteemed doctoral program, died on April 15, 2025, at the age of 100. A beloved colleague, mentor, and scholar, Dr. Eason’s contributions to the department and to the broader UNCG community continue to shape the institution today.
Eason joined UNCG in 1967 as chair of the Department of Psychology. At that time, the department did not offer a doctoral degree. Drawing on his deep academic experience and passion for research, Eason led the charge to develop and establish a Ph.D. program in psychology, which was approved by the UNC system in 1970. Since then, more than 300 doctoral degrees have been awarded, with alumni going on to successful careers in teaching, research, and clinical practice — a legacy rooted in his early vision.
Colleagues remember Eason not only as a rigorous academic but also as a leader who cultivated a warm and welcoming departmental culture. He brought people together for lunches at the Home Economics cafeteria, hosted dissertation celebrations at his home, and made a point of building community within the department.
Dr. Rosemery Nelson-Gray, a UNCG psychology professor and longtime colleague and friend, recalled Eason’s trailblazing support for women in academia, hiring three female faculty members in 1971 when such appointments were still uncommon.
“My greatest admiration of Bob, however, focuses on his stance on admitting and supporting underserved students in the doctoral program,” said Nelson-Gray. “He was fond of saying: ‘this student deserves a chance to succeed.’ And he then supported the student with mentoring and instruction so they did succeed. Bob Eason was a man of integrity and righteousness, both in his words and actions. When asked why he made certain administrative decisions, his reply was frequently: ‘It was the right thing to do.’ I am proud to have known him as my friend, my colleague, and my boss for a good share of his 100 years.”
Eason’s commitment to student success was so impactful that, in 2007, a group of alumni returned to campus to publicly honor his mentorship and lasting influence on their lives.
Eason served as the UNCG Psychology Department chair from 1967 until 1980, during which time he was named an Excellence Fund Professor and an Elizabeth Rosenthal Excellence Professor at the University. Eason was a physiological psychologist whose research focused on neural correlates of attention, including the complex brain processes involved in reading and reading disabilities. Though he officially retired in 1994, Eason remained an active presence in the department as professor emeritus until his death. He attended events, followed faculty research, and continued to engage with students and colleagues alike. He was known for his thoughtful questions, principled leadership, and steady wisdom.
Eason is remembered not only for his scholarship and service but also for his kindness, humility, and dedication to the University community. He was also devoted to his family. Eason was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Jean, and is survived by his son Greg Eason, daughter Linda Goff, and granddaughter Sarah Goff Eldridge.
Dr. Eason’s legacy lives on through the program he helped build, the values he championed, and the many lives he touched over the course of his long and remarkable career.
