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Kent Monroe Obituary
Born on September 25, 1938, in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, Kent pursued a distinguished academic career that spanned decades. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics from Kalamazoo College in 1960, followed by a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Indiana University in 1961. He later obtained a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1968.
Kent dedicated his professional life to the study and teaching of marketing and business administration. He served as the John M. Jones Distinguished Professor of Marketing Emeritus at the University of Illinois from 2005 until his passing. His tenure at the university also included serving as Head of the Department of Business Administration from 1994 to 1999 and as a Professor of Business Administration from 1991 to 2005. Prior to that, he held esteemed positions at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, including Robert O. Goodykoontz Professor of Marketing from 1986 to 1991 and Head of the Department of Marketing from 1980 to 1984. His expertise extended internationally as an External Examiner for the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1999 to 2002 and as a Visiting Distinguished Scholar at the University of Richmond from 2004 to 2018. Early in his career, he worked as a market research analyst for the Postal Rate Commission and taught at Glenville State College and Indiana University.
Kent's legacy endures because of his pioneering contributions but also because he inspired so many. Over his career, Kent directed as many as 40 doctoral dissertations, including award-winning doctoral work. He was an extraordinary human being and scholar who showed that, for him, these two dimensions are inseparable.
Beyond his professional achievements, Kent had a deep passion for learning and discovery. He was an avid reader who particularly enjoyed thrillers and mysteries. His curiosity extended into research on how the brain functions and influences decision-making processes. A devoted fan of Red Sox baseball, he also found joy in gardening-a pastime that reflected his patient and nurturing nature. He was an active presence in the lives of his children, supporting their academic and athletic endeavors during their formative years, and remained their biggest fan as they navigated their careers, both eventually finding their way into education.
Kent is survived by his son Scott Monroe (Martha Steele) and daughter Karen Monroe (Ed Charney); grandchildren Andrew Monroe and Margaret Monroe; sisters Marylis Burgess, Marylin Mercier, and Naomi Curry (David); as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Norma Rogers Monroe, father Hermon Monroe, and mother Eva Bourdon.
A man known for his generosity and gentle kindness, Kent's impact extended far beyond academia into the lives of those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who were touched by his tenderheartedness and wisdom.
The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Kent will be held on April 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Mount Vernon Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, 11220 Nuckols Road; Glen Allen, VA 23059.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kent's name to the Richmond Animal League (www.ral.org/wishlist) or the Henrico Animal Shelter (10421 Woodman Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
john
July 3, 2025
we missed you
Edward Walters
June 5, 2025
I am a current PhD student in Marketing at Virginia Tech and have read Dr. Monroe's papers and have cited him in my research. I live in Midlothian, VA and had no idea Dr. Monroe had ties to Richmond. Rest in peace, Sir! Your work lives on!
Amra Kramo-Caluk
April 4, 2025
I met Professor Kent B. Monroe during my academic visit to the University of Richmond in 2010, when he graciously agreed to be my advisor. He quickly became more than that-he was a true mentor and guiding presence. His professionalism and commitment showed in how consistently he supported both my academic work and professional growth. Kent's genuine belief in people, combined with his patience and generosity, profoundly shaped both my studies and personal development.
Despite his impressive academic achievements and dedication to students, Kent's deepest devotion was always to his family, who brought him such obvious pride and joy.
What struck me about Kent was his remarkable humility. When we first met, he insisted I call him simply "Kent," saying with a smile, "Professor Monroe makes me feel old and too important." That was Kent: modest, warm, and approachable.
Though Kent has left us, his legacy lives on through his students and colleagues. His influence continues as the knowledge and values he shared inspire and guide us still. His wisdom, warmth, and the love he gave will forever remain in our hearts.
Dear Kent, rest in peace. You did so much good in this world, and now it's time for you to rest. Our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.
Amra Kramo-Caluk
April 4, 2025
I met Professor Kent B. Monroe during my academic visit to the University of Richmond in 2010, when he graciously agreed to be my advisor. He quickly became more than that-he was a true mentor and guiding presence. His professionalism and commitment showed in how consistently he supported both my academic work and professional growth. Kent's genuine belief in people, combined with his patience and generosity, profoundly shaped both my studies and personal development.
Despite his impressive academic achievements and dedication to students, Kent's deepest devotion was always to his family, who brought him such obvious pride and joy.
What struck me about Kent was his remarkable humility. When we first met, he insisted I call him simply "Kent," saying with a smile, "Professor Monroe makes me feel old and too important." That was Kent: modest, warm, and approachable.
Though Kent has left us, his legacy lives on through his students and colleagues. His influence continues as the knowledge and values he shared inspire and guide us still. His wisdom, warmth, and the love he gave will forever remain in our hearts.
Dear Kent, rest in peace. You did so much good in this world, and now it's time for you to rest. Our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.
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Diana Vranceanu
March 24, 2025
When I was a PhD student, Professor Kent Monroe, through his books and articles, represented for me a very inspirational person, throughout the process of writing my thesis. After I have completed it, I had the immense chance to acquaint him and to become a visiting scholar at the University of Richmond. During this stage, I was very impressed by his openness to guiding me in behavioral pricing research and in teaching pricing management. I appreciated his kindness in sharing me professional insights, his empathic spirit, that made him understand my weaknesses, his encouragement provided in my research and teaching endeavors. He was a very special person, eager to offer support and compassion.
May God rest his soul in peace!
With gratitude,
Diana Vranceanu
Craig Mercier
March 24, 2025
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and family. I have fond memories of Uncle Kent, first in our younger days at family gatherings when he lived in the area and in later years when he would visit and we'd attend Red Sox games. He was a great man and will be missed.
Yupin Patarapongsant
March 22, 2025
With deep sorrow and immense gratitude, Professor Kent Monroe, a distinguished scholar and an academic father to me and many of his PhD students. His passing still feels unreal. I was fortunate to visit him one last time on October 21, 2024. When I called Karen on February 23, 2025, I found myself at a loss for words. Without Kent´s time, guidance, and unwavering support, I would not be who I am today. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched. May his soul rest in peace. (Photo from October 21, 2024)
Yupin Patara
March 22, 2025
With deep sorrow and immense gratitude, I remember Professor Kent Monroe, a distinguished scholar and an academic father to me and many of his PhD students. His passing still feels unreal. I was fortunate to visit him one last time on October 21, 2024. When I called Karen on February 23, 2024, I was at a loss for words. Without Kent´s time, guidance, and support, I would not be who I am today. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched. May his soul rest in peace.
Nada Nasr Bechwati
March 21, 2025
Kent Monroe was a giant in his wisdom, kindness, and humility! My sincere condolences to his immediate family and to the marketing community, particularly the colleagues at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his doctoral students throughout the world.
Rashmi Adaval
March 20, 2025
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
- Maya Angelou
Dear Karen and Scott, I could not find the words to express the jumble of emotions I still feel when I think of Kent's passing. I relied on the words of Maya Angelou to say it for me - more eloquently than I ever could. Wishing you warmth and healing. Kent will always stay with us because a good teacher becomes so much part of you that they never leave you.
- Rashmi
Fei Weisstein
March 20, 2025
We´re deeply saddened by the passing of Kent. I´ve known him since 2004, when I was a first-year PhD student, full of uncertainty and trying to find my footing. From the very beginning, Kent took me under his wing. Over the years, he became so much more than just an advisor. He was a true mentor, a trusted friend, and, in many ways, a father figure to me.
We shared so many memories together, both professional and personal. Kent was there at every stage of my journey, offering insight when I was trying to make sense of academic life as a grad student, cheering me on when I began my first faculty position, and continuing to guide and support me even after I became a department chair. He always made time for me. His advice was never rushed, and his words always came from a place of deep thought and genuine care.
What I´ll always remember is how thoughtful and genuine he was. Every time we talked, he´d ask about my family. He knew my kids well, and he and my husband Eric became friends too. He had a way of making people feel seen, supported, and valued.
Kent was the kind of person who gave wholeheartedly, always steady and kind, never looking for anything in return. Whether I needed advice, reassurance, or simply someone to talk to, he was there. I never once felt like just a former student to him. I always felt like family.
I´m so grateful to have had Kent in my life all these years. His influence helped shape who I am today, not just in my career, but in how I try to show up for others: with care, thoughtfulness, and integrity.
He will be missed more than words can fully express. But his impact lives on in all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.
With love,
Fei and Eric
Ashok K. Lalwani
March 20, 2025
From the moment I joined the Ph.D. program at UIUC, Kent took me under his wings, offering not only his vast knowledge but also his unwavering support. He was more than just a mentor to me-he became a guiding force, showing me the way not only through the academic challenges but also through life's complexities. His wisdom, patience, and kindness shaped not only my career but my character.
Kent was instrumental in helping me navigate the trials of the program, always there with thoughtful advice and encouragement. Even after his retirement, we continued to work closely together, and his influence remained a constant in my professional life. He never stopped caring, never stopped guiding, and always made time for me, even when life became hectic. The lessons he imparted are ones I carry with me every day, both in my work and in how I approach relationships with others.
I would not be where I am today without Kent's mentorship. His generosity, both of spirit and intellect, set the bar for what a mentor should be. It is hard to put into words just how deeply his loss is felt. Kent was a rare and extraordinary person, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had him in my life. His legacy will continue to guide me, and I will forever be grateful for the impact he had on me.
My deepest condolences to Scott, Karen, and the family during this difficult time. Kent will always be remembered with admiration, respect, and love.
With heartfelt sorrow,
Ashok K. Lalwani
Debra Zahay Blatz
March 19, 2025
Kent was a mentor to so many. I am grateful to him in many ways. I do remember at the end of the first year of the Ph.D. program there was an awards banquet and my parents came. My Mother, still not reconciled to my quitting my job and entering the program, told Kent, "I don't know why she wanted to go back to school; she has so much education already." Kent gently told her: "Debra will always be at a school now; this is the life she has chosen." It took several more years for Mom to accept my decision, but his words helped me realize that I could do this and was a validation of my choice. As I prepare to retire from teaching, I am reminded of these comforting words and of the true gentleman you were. God bless your soul in Heaven. Keep looking out for all of us, Kent, please!
Stephen p Burgess
March 19, 2025
So sorry for your loss
Mom isfeeling bad
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