Robert (Bob) L. Helmreich (1937-2012) OBITUARY

Presents an obituary for Robert (Bob) L. Helmreich (1937-2012). Helmreich was born April 29, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri, the only son of Ralph and Caroline Helmreich. Bob received his undergraduate degree from Yale University in 1959. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for four years. Upon his retirement from the service he was executive officer of the USS Decatur (DD-936). Perhaps it was his service in the Navy that sparked his lifelong professional interest in how people work together in teams to accomplish technically precise goals. He returned to Yale University to obtain a doctor of philosophy degree in social psychology under Barry Collins. Bob joined the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin as an assistant professor in 1966 and remained on the faculty in the Department of Psychology until his retirement in 2007, 41 years later. During the course of his career, Helmreich published more than 200 research articles and monographs. Most of his publications dealt with issues related to airline and medical safety, and much of this work was done in collaboration with graduate students and colleagues. In recognition of his extensive contributions to improving crew performance, in 2005 Helmreich received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Flight Safety Foundation. Helmreich also received the Franklin V. Taylor Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Applied Experimental/Engineering Psychology from the American Psychological Association (APA), the Pro Bene Meritus A ward from The University of Texas (for his commitment to the liberal arts), and the David S. Sheridan Award from Albany Medical College. © 2013 APA, all rights reserved.