Robert Arthur Embree Ph.D.

1927 - 2022

Dr. Robert A. Embree, 94, of Le Mars, Iowa, emeritus professor of psychology at Westmar University, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars.

Robert Arthur Embree, the son of Ernest and Elmina (Cantrell) Embree, was born Sept. 11, 1927 on a farm in the Ortello Valley near Merna, Neb.

After completing basic infantry training and basic medical training in the U. S. Army, Robert was honorably discharged due to a family emergency. He then enrolled at York College in York where he met and married Valda Joan Franz on Aug. 23, 1950, in her Sutton home church.

Upon graduating, Robert enrolled at Bonebrake Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, receiving a Master of Divinity degree which, over the following decade, was supplemented with a master's degree in psychology from the University of Omaha and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Denver.

For the thirty-five years from 1958 to 1993, Robert taught psychology at Westmar College, which was associated with the Evangelical United Brethren church (later merged with the Methodist Church).

He was instrumental in developing a popular program in psychology that included a flagship course on understanding the self. He also taught winterim courses in film production, computer literacy and guitar.

Robert was very active professionally, publishing numerous scholarly papers, reviewing journal articles and serving in leadership roles in numerous professional organizations including the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, for which he served for a time as the president of the midwestern region. He was a College of MidAmerica Lilly Scholar, a licensed psychologist, and active as an elder in the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Upon retiring from the college (then known as Teikyo Westmar University), Robert continued to enjoy life in Le Mars with his wife Valda, where he continued his pursuit of numerous scholarly activities as well as his interests in music, video production, historiography, and genealogy. He was active in the local community as a member of the Lions Club.

Robert is survived by his eldest son Marlowe of Wausau, Wisc.; a daughter-in-law Carla (Zimmerman) Embree of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and grandchildren Isaac and Eden.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Elmina; wife Valda on March 22, 2016; youngest son Rod on Jan. 25, 2022; his daughter-in-law Diane (Mantor) Embree on March 1, 2021; and his brothers Bernard and Paul.

In Robert's honor, donations may be sent to the University of Denver Scholarship Fund.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at the United Methodist Church of Le Mars. Rev. Michel Okitakoyi Lundula will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. There will be one hour of visitation at the church on Saturday prior to the service.

The Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars is assisting Robert's family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.