By A memorial service was held for Robert Thayer, a psychology professor who taught for 51 years at Cal State University Long Beach, at the University Student Union on Friday morning.
The service had more than 30 attendees and began with videos of Thayer talking about various topics related to psychology. After the videos, people were given the chance to share a few words about Thayer.
David Whitney, the department chair of psychology, spoke on behalf of various people such as previous department chairs and a student. They all mentioned that Thayer had a sense of humor.
“Bob told me that if I want to be taken seriously, then I need to wear a tie,” Whitney said. “I considered it, but I never did wear a tie until today for him.”
Fitzegerald said that as soon Thayer’s death was announced, CSULB alumni went into his office to offer a $50,000 scholarship to CSULB in his name. He said that the first call for the scholarship’s application will be held in January 2016 and will be open to “declared graduate students majoring in psychology who are pursuing the field of mood, personality or social psychology, with first preference going to research.”
Martin Fiebert, the CSULB psychology professor who coordinated Thayer’s memorial service, said he went to graduate school with Thayer in 1962. He jokingly added that Thayer went to his first and second wedding.
“In 1970 the psychology building was open and our offices were together. We shared our office for 44 years,” Fiebert said.
Fiebert added that one of Thayer’s accomplishments was a book he wrote called “The Origin of Everyday Mood,” which was listed in a book called “50 Citation Classics” as one of the most influential books in the 20th century.
Whitney then talked about how he tried to prompt Thayer to retire this year because he was ill and on “sick leave” for some time. He added that Thayer never did retire from CSULB.
Thayer died on Aug. 25, 2014, at the age of 79 due to heart failure, according to a close friend.
