Dr. Craig Sidles

Dr. Craig Sidles, 89

Dr. Craig Sidles, NAU

Professor Emeritus, passed away on November 27 of congestive heart failure. He was born in Estherville, Iowa to William and Kathryne Sidles on October 16, 1934. He was 89 years old.

In 1968 he moved his family to Flagstaff to work at NAU after completing his PhD in educational psychology at the University of Iowa and working at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He served a ten-year stint as chair of the NAU Department of Psychology and Educational Psychology. During his tenure, the department was granted authority to offer a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology. It was also during his chairmanship that the department developed the first NAU off campus statewide academic graduate program with an office at Luke Air Force base.

Craig was NAU homecoming dedicatee in 1978, a visiting scholar at the Scottish Council for Research in Education in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1987, and received an NAU President's Award in 1997. He was an active member of Flagstaff Federated Community Church and Malpais Kiwanis.

In retirement Craig enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved spending time with friends and family. Craig was preceded in death by Mary Jane Sidles, his wife of 61 years. He is survived by his son Tobin Sidles of Tucson, Arizona (spouse Shawne, and grandchildren Nate and Lindsay), daughter Tara Travis of Flagstaff, AZ (spouse Scott, and grandchildren Colin and Chandra and great grandchildren Ryan, Makenna and Eli), and daughter Jennifer Plattis of Flagstaff, AZ (spouse Jeff, grandchild Jessica). He is also survived by his sister Janet Schacherer and her family.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Federated Community Church. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Craig W. Sidles Educational Psychology Scholarship. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family directly or online at www.norvelowensmortuary.com.