Robert Benton Sivley PhD

Dr. Robert Sivley died on March 9, 2025 at 11:29 am, at the age of 91 of natural causes following a lengthy bout with several medical conditions. Bob was born on February 2, 1934, in Chattanooga Tennessee, to Alma Boyd and Grover Benton Sivley. He attended David Lipscomb College in Nashville where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1955. He attended George Peabody College (Vanderbilt University) where he earned his Master's degree (Carnegie Fellowship) in 1956 and his PhD in Clinical Psychology in 1960. He completed his Psychology internship with the Veterans Administration (VA) in three locations and was licensed in Tennessee as a Clinical Psychologist in 1961. He received his license in Kentucky in Clinical Psychology in 1967 (license #105; there are currently over 2000). Dr. Sivley was the Chief Psychologist at Central State Hospital in Nashville beginning in 1961, and remained on as a staff psychologist at the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro TN, from 1961 to 1967. In 1967, Bob moved his family to Hopkinsville KY, as a staff psychologist for the newly formed Pennyroyal Mental Health Center. Within the year he was appointed as Executive Director in which capacity he served until his retirement in 1995. He also worked as a consulting psychologist for the KY Correctional Psychiatric Center and continued this work post-retirement until 2014. Over the course of his career, Dr. Sivley held part time instructor positions at the University of Tennessee, Nashville (1960 – 1967), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (1960-1961), George Peabody College (1964-1965), Middle Tennessee State University (1965-1966), and Hopkinsville Community College (1995-2008). In April of 1960, Bob married Barbara Jean Outten. Barbara was a school teacher in Hopkinsville for approximately 40 years. She passed away in 2014. Bob and Barbara had 3 sons: Dr. Robert Sivley Jr., a Clinical Psychologist in Hopkinsville, Dr. John Outten Sivley, a Clinical Social Worker in Bowling Green, and Major William Michael Sivley (RET) who retired from the US Department of Veteran Affairs and the US Army Reserves. Bill is currently a flight instructor in Baltimore MD. Dr. Sivley was quite accomplished in his field and was a member of the American Psychological Association, The Tennessee Psychological association, The KY association of Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Programs (President 1984-1988), The Kentucky Board of Examiners in psychology from 1983-1986. He was also a diplomate of the American Board of Psychological Specialists and American College of Forensic Examiners. Bob was honored with the Mental Health Association of KY Professional Award, The Mental Health Institute Award of Outstanding Mental Health Administrator and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the KY Psychological Association, all in 1995. He received a Distinguished Service Award from the Pennyroyal Center in 2022, where the clinical services building now bears his name. In 2015, He was inducted into the Kentucky Psychological Hall of Fame. Dad was a member of the Hopkinsville Rotary Club from 1967 to 1980 (President in 1979), the Athenaeum Society beginning in 1970 (President 1985), and the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ where he taught Sunday school for many years. Bob was preceded in death by Barbara, his wife of 54 years, his sisters, Carolyn and Cynthia, and his brother Butch. He is survived by his 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren (soon to be 6). Son, Bob Jr. (Beverly) of Hopkinsville; Grandsons Rob Sivley III (Miriah), of Clarksville, Chris Sivley (Hadley), of Nashville and great grandson, James Sivley and great granddaughter, Benton Sivley (and due very soon Layla Sivley.) Son, John (Marcia), of Bowling Green; Grandsons, Derek Deger (Staci) of Nebraska and Robert Michael Sivley (Alexandra) of North Carolina. Great grandsons, Drake Deger and Gage Deger, and great granddaughter, Eleanor Sivley Son Bill (Kim) of Baltimore; Granddaughter, Lola Sivley, and grandson Ben Sivley A memorial service will be held in the near future. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions are suggested to University Heights Academy 1300 Academy Drive, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert, please visit our Tree Store.