ALBERT GOSS

GOSS--Albert Edward,

professor of psychology known for his long running research on verbal learning, behavior, and cognition by young children and college students, died peacefully on September 27, 2018 at his home in Carrboro, NC. He was 95. Al was born on May 10, 1923 in Lone Tree, Iowa to Edwin Emery Goss, a dentist, and Anna Theressa (Hurrie) Goss, a former elementary schoolteacher. He was raised and attended public schools in Muscatine, Iowa. In 1941 he entered the University of Iowa, where he served in the US Air Corps Pre-meteorology B Program and received a BA in Economics in August 1945. In September, he married fellow University of Iowa student Mary E. Weber. After changing focus to the rapidly growing field of psychology, he continued his studies at Iowa, working with Professors Wendell Johnson and Kenneth W. Spence to earn a 1947 MA and 1948 PhD. Dr. Goss spent the first part of his academic career, from 1948-1966, in the Department of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, rising to the rank of professor. He then joined the Department of Psychology of Douglass College, later assimilated within a consolidated department of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. He retired in 1991 and moved to Carrboro, NC in 2011. A dedicated behaviorist, Professor Goss and his students studied the verbal cognitive behavior and learning of young children and of college students in tasks that emulated everyday experiences. In a seminal 1965 book, "Paired-Associates Learning: The Role of Meaningfulness, Similarity and Familiarization", he and co-author Calvin F. Nodine presented methodologies that would recur over his 43-year career. Additionally, Al had a special interest in day care and, beginning in 1966, became heavily involved with the Douglass College Day Care Center, now known as the Rutgers Psychology Child Development Center. A voracious reader from childhood until death, he began every morning with a thorough review of the "New York Times," then transitioned to reading non-fiction, mysteries, and other books over the rest of the day. Friendly and gregarious, Al will be remembered fondly for his remarkable memory, gourmet cooking, and meandering stories with excessive detail. He was preceded in death by brothers Dale and Loren and by wife Mary, his beloved partner for over 65 years. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law Charles and Karen Goss and grandson Derek Goss of Haverford, PA, and granddaughter Jessica Goss of New York City. Memorializing donations may be made to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement (please write "Gift in memory of Albert Goss" on memo line of check), ATTN: Jen Wyatt, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550.