Robert Henley Woody Obituary November 11, 2024 - Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services

Cover photo for Robert Henley Woody's Obituary

1936 Robert 2024

October 4, 1936 — November 11, 2024

Dr. Robert Henley Woody, Jr., born October 4, 1936, in Bridgeport, AL and died in Omaha, NE November 11, 2024. He was the only child of Robert Henley Woody, Sr., and Wilma Loving Woody. Bob was a professor, attorney, and psychologist, but his greatest passion was music of all genres. He was schooled in and continued to practice fretted and brass instruments.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Music and Specialist in Education (Western Michigan), Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy (Michigan State), Doctor of Science (Pittsburgh), and Juris Doctor (Creighton) degrees. He started his career as a school psychologist in Oceana County, MI, and later held professorial positions at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Maryland, Ohio University, and Grand Valley State University.

In 1975, Bob moved to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) to serve as Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. Later, after earning his law degree, Bob continued to teach in the UNO Psychology Department, retiring in 2020 after 45 years at the university. He was twice elected President of the Faculty Senate and served on countless university committees, provided legal counsel to mental health professionals nationwide, and was involved in the national-level governance of the American Psychological Association.

In 1965, he married Phyllis Jane DiVita, who also later was a UNO professor (Social Work). They had three children, Jennifer Kate, Robert Henley III (Angie), and Matthew Levi (Tonja), two grandchildren Elizabeth and Bennett Woody, and three stepgrandsons, Alec, Leo, and Thomas Colgan. He was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and cousins.

He authored or edited 39 books and several hundred articles, received numerous awards for his contributions to psychology nationally and earned various credentials for his distinguished professional services at the national, state, and university level. He was licensed as a psychologist in several states and a member of Florida, Michigan, and Nebraska Bars.

Burial will be at Mount Ever Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo, MI. As he requested, there will be no public memorial service, and no donations solicited.

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