The Life Work of my Father

Before my father passed away two and a half years ago at 84, he obviously spent considerable time preparing and organizing for his future passing. I have no idea how long it took him to classify and systematize all his life’s work, but he left me the easy task to know exactly what he held valuable and important.

Dad entrusted with me 46 bins of his life's work. Each bin carefully labeled and meticulously organized from the moment the idea struck my father to each progression until it became a college course, a research project, a church class, or journal research article.

Dad's Life Journey

My father taught Education Psychology at the graduate level at The Ohio State University for 43 years. He was a professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs. His tenure went from 1970 until his retirement in 2010. Professor Bob served as Director of the Student Personnel Assistantship program during 20 of those years. Dad created and taught graduate courses in moral, cognitive, and psychosocial developmental psychology, personality types, and group training. He conducted research in these same areas including the application of developmental theory and research in the designs of practice in Student Affairs, leadership and organizational development.

My dad loved teaching more than research. He was devoted to advising, coaching, and facilitating the professional growth of graduate students. Like a player's coach, my dad was a student's prof never pawning off teaching and meeting with his students to a graduate assistant. This devotion led the Ohio State University graduate academic program and the Ohio College Personnel Association of the State of Ohio to both name their 'Outstanding Graduate Student' awards for 'Robert F. (Prof Bob) Rodgers'.

From West Texas beginnings in Lubbock, Dad earned his B.S. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1961 while also playing college golf. He received his M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University in 1965 and his PH.D. degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University in 1970. He did post-doctoral work in developmental psychology at Harvard University in summers of 1983 with Lawrence Kohlberg, 1984 with Carole Gilligan and 1985 with Robert Kegan.

Progressions in his Life's Work

Bin after bin, I review this history of his life's work. Each container is at full capacity holding more than four decades of work both at Ohio State, his time at Harvard, and his freelance work in local churches.

The man kept the initial 'napkin' idea for a college or church course, journal article, or book idea. I can follow the progressions of the idea from the napkin to a yellow legal pad. From the yellow legal pad, it became a typed version produced by his assistant. Then, as technology advanced, my father turned his course notes into the classic 90's plastic transparencies. If you are old enough, you know the big overhead projectors and screen where the transparencies were put up one at a time.

Oh, he loved those plastic overheads and a sharpie!

My father kept multiple copies of his syllabus and course notes. Honestly, I could go teach the course myself with the detailed and exact order of class sessions.

Hmmm, maybe an idea. Do you think The Ohio State University would hire me?

I can imagine the syllabus shock on the first day of class. The number of papers these students had to write was considerable. Many a night, I watched dad’s red pencil get a workout! I can see him now, sitting in our den at the hunter green covered card table with a stack of papers right next to him. He scribbled away with that red pencil giving positive and critical feedback while opera played at the loudest decibels humanly responsible.

Legacy of Life's Work

It has been glorious to see the creation of Professor Bob's higher education courses. I can use some of his writing and research in my work. He was, after all, the inspiration and brains behind NeuroSport and BraincodeCorp. My dad used the science he taught me with athletes at The Ohio State University.

Sadly, most of the paper and copies found in these bins are now in recycling heaven. I feel so guilty with each recycling silo I have filled, five now in total. I find myself apologizing to my dad as I dump another armful of his life’s work into the big blue container.

The rest of it will come home with me and be put to use.

His legacy of Dad's work continues. Thank you, Dad. I love you! I miss you!