Joseph F. Rychlak

Joseph Frank Rychlak

84, of Carmel, passed away on April 16, 2013 He was born to Joseph W. and Helen (Bieniek) Rychlak on December 17, 1928 in Cudahy, Wisconsin. After high school, he enlisted in the Army-Air Force and served primarily at Barksdale Field in Shreveport, LA. He then earned his BA in psychology from the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He received his MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Rychlak's teaching career spanned 44 years at five different universities before retiring as with emeritus status from Loyola University Chicago, as Maude C. Clarke Professor of Humanistic Psychology. He authored 17 books and over 200 papers and book chapters in addition to lecturing at over 70 schools in this country and abroad and awarding many master's and doctoral degrees. Among his many honors: The International Association of Social Psychiatry's "Outstanding Contributor to Human Understanding and Welfare" and being listed in "Who's Who in America." He was a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, a Fellow in the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society. Twice he served as president of the APA's division of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology. He developed his own theory which he called "Logical Learning Theory." An avid Western history student, he attended many conferences relating to the lawmen and outlaws of the Old West. As a jogger from a young age, he enjoyed a six-mile run several times a week until his health precluded it.

Joe met his wife, Lenora Smith, at OSU and they were married on June 16, 1956, she survives along with son, Ronald (Claire), of Oxford, MS and daughter, Stephanie (Todd) Stilson of Carmel IN. In addition he leaves behind eight grandchildren, Joseph, Lindsey, Susanna, Mary Helen, Sally, and Olivia Rychlak, and Robert and Scott Stilson; sister-in-law, Joan Rychlak, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. Arrangements are being handled by Flanner and Buchanan - Carmel , 325 Carmel Drive, Carmel, with visitation on Friday, April 19th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home and Saturday, April 20th at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery Chapel, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., with burial in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery following the service.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Forum at the Crossing and St. Vincent Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care during Dr. Rychlak's illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's fund, St. Vincent Hospice, or the charity of your choice. You are invited to visit the website: http://www.flannerbuchanan.com to share a personal memory of Dr. Rychlak or sign the guestbook.