Albert Dominic "Bert" Loro Jr.

Albert Dominic "Bert" Loro, Jr. 59, died unexpectedly Thursday at Duke Hospital.
Born in Chicago, he was the son of the late Albert D. and Betty Jane (Hartman) Loro. Bert grew up in a loving family of five siblings in Lafayette, IN, where he attended Central Catholic High School. He graduated from Purdue University in 1971 with a degree in Psychology, and then received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Washington University. Bert moved to Durham in 1976 to join the medical psychology faculty at Duke University, where he developed the medical center's first outpatient behavioral weight management and eating disorders program. Bert married Linda Barnett July 9, 1983 in Chapel Hill. The couple then spent seven years in Rochester, NY where their daughters were born. In 1990, the family returned to Durham. Bert joined the psychology faculty at the V.A. and Duke Medical Centers where he has worked for the last 18 years in the outpatient substance abuse clinic. Bert and Linda loved each other well; they recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Their deep affection for one another enriched the lives of all their family and friends. Bert always put his girls first, supporting Vanessa and Carina in all of their academic and extracurricular endeavors. He took care of them and spoiled them rotten and they will be lost without him.
Bert was a member of many groups and communities. As a pioneer in behavioral therapies, he was a beloved colleague to many, and a committed mentor to interns and junior faculty members. Outside of work, he was a long time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, his men's group and poker group. He was also active in the NC Psychological Assn. Bert was a steadfast steward of the environment, an avid gardener and maker of legendary red sauce. Bert celebrated life in every way. He worked passionately for the Obama campaign and was a committed fan of Purdue football, the St. Louis Cardinals and especially Duke basketball.
In honor of his distinguished contributions to the Duke University Medical Center, the Duke flag was flown at half mast on campus in the wake of his death. A consummate family man and committed father, Bert is survived by his wife, Linda Barnett; his daughters, Vanessa and Carina Barnett-Loro; his Bassett Hound, Jessie; his siblings, Eileen Loro of Durham, Bennie Loro of Minneapolis, Mary Loro of Bloomington, IN, Patrick Loro and Rena Aiken of Lafayette, IN and their families; seven nieces and four nephews; and two grand nieces and one grand nephew.
A service of remembrance will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday from Westminster Presbyterian Church. For those who wish to pay respects to Bert, friends and extended family will receive visitors 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to the NC Nature Conservancy.
Online memorials to: www.hallwynne.com. Select Obituaries.