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Robert Lloyd Dial Ph.D.

FUNERAL HOME

Billow's Funeral Homes & Crematory - Fairlawn Chapel

85 North Miller Road

Akron, Ohio

Robert Dial Obituary

Robert Lloyd Dial, PhD

Robert Lloyd Dial, PhD, 85, died peacefully February 18, 2015 with his family present.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled in April.

(Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 330-867-4141)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal on Feb. 22, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Dial

Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.

21 Entries

Steve Dia

February 16, 2024

Hey Dad, just thinking about you today, so much I would love to talk to you about and share with you about life, jazz, growing up in Akron, etc. Seems like yesterday you passed away. Know you and Soni are somewhere taking a walk and you are doing your best to keep up with her. She would be quite surprised at all Ruth has done to upgrade your house. Thanks for passing on your love for jazz, as it nourishes me daily.

Love you madly, as you would say!!

Steve

david gruccio

February 19, 2021

It would be most valuable to hear what Robert Dial would say if he were here to talk about the current health crisis in this country. He was most considerate of the plight of less fortunate people. Charitable to say the least. We wonder what his class dealing with comparable topics would be like. He was my instructor for poetry appreciation. We were fortunate to know and admire him during those years when he was a professor at the university. Film appreciation for sure would have left a beneficial consequence for my life for all the wonderful contributions he made for my identity. Robert Dial possessed qualities worthy of emulation and devotion. We wonder what would he have said about today. Nevertheless he has not been forgotten less we forget too much about this person we still look at the textbooks which we used in his classes. What would he have said about book stores and college degrees in English and current events?

david gruccio

February 16, 2020

The English degree that I obtained last century was in part due to my devotion to Robert Dial who spoke with me on numerous occasions about jazz music. Robert knew jazz music and jazz history and was willing to discuss that topic with me at the university or at his house and during social gatherings in several places. Today I still recall our discussions of jazz music in his office and after the English literature classes I was fortunate enough to take from him on many occasions. Film appreciation too was a topic that he was willing to discuss with me especially foreign films that he knew well. Robert provided me with much intellectual stimulation and friendship when I was meandering between classes choosing what to add to my lengthy academic accomplishments. But it was jazz that brought us together with spoecial friendship components unlike many of my other relationships. The discussion in his office about the film "Barry Lyndon" will not be easy to forget. That was Robert at his best.

david gruccio

February 16, 2019

Not too long ago during 2017 or 2018 I believe something happened on the near west side in the Wall Haven neighborhood of Akron in the theater that has been in operation for a variety of purposes for so many years when I attended a cultural program where I met two younger people who wanted to speak with me about Bob Dial as soon as I let them know that I had been a student in Bob Dial's class last century at the university. These two young men were most respectful of Bob Dial and his memory or legacy as a teacher for poetry among other subjects. They had been in his class also but at a different time period for film and poetry and other subjects. Our conversation began instantly about their respect for Bob Dial the teacher and my experiences for attending Bob Dial's class and my pursuit of a university degree in English there so many years earlier. It lasted far longer than I had anticipated hearing them talk about Bob Dial. The meeting of the three of us had not been planned. I can not with precision pin-point the calendar date when this spontaneous conversation took place. These two younger men were promoting their agenda that was central to the program going on at the theater. One of the two I believe had some connection with the television program called "Around Akron". He might have been Blue Green. I was there as visitor with an interest in attending the program. Our conversation about Bob Dial began so quickly that it caught me by surprise. Their interest in hearing me praise Bob Dial coincided with their own strong desire to speak about their memory of him. Most fascinating for two people suddenly willing to speak with me about Bob Dial most spontaneously in public. Another example of people wanting to praise him.

David Gruccio

July 9, 2017

Notable intellectual contributions by Bob Dial to my education were enormous last century. His admiration for so many authors in English and American literature was one of the reasons I chose to take his classes. He was one of the few people who could talk knowledgeably about jazz music. His knowledge about films and novels converted to films in various adaptations of literature to the screen was his chief contribution to my decision to speak with him on so many occasions in his office. I still recall our conversations about the film "Barry Lyndon". Robert was a funny person. He was my teacher for poetry appreciation and nineteenth century British literature. We broached many conversations about twentieth century American and British literature. Robert played a big roll in bringing jazz to Akron with his connections with the Ohio Arts Council and various faculty members located at two, three or more universities. His legacy is more than intellectual. He was a champion for helping the less fortunate. A good man that the University of Akron was wise to employ as a teacher.

david gruccio

July 9, 2017

Our intellectual debt which I and others owe to Robert Dial for his inspiration and teaching and discussions about several topics last century can not be placed in a category of percentages for the simple reason that he was able to show care for less fortunate people and teach the importance of reading literature and listening to jazz. I can still recall the location of his old office to be found in an old house along Buchtel Avenue last century when he first arrived on campus. His sense of humor was wonderful to hear. His commentary about interpreting literature and dealing with current events was priceless and worth signing up for and taking his classes. His contribution to my intellectual growth was a large reason for me finishing a degree English last century. His birthday party was a welcome intrusion in our lives as many of us did like attending that event. His knowledge about nineteenth century English novels and modern literature was more than a reason to take his classes. Robert knew about jazz and wanted to talk about it. His lasting influence for me to remember fondly was his interest in helping others understand films. Films were for him and others a form of literary expression that could be adapted for watching as if we were reading a novel or poetry. He liked films and his discussion about certain films - many among my favorites - was important, especially "Barry Lyndon". Robert was for me a good person and a good teacher. I still read the books from his classes. If I needed a reason for getting a four year degree in English there it was in all its splendor. and goodness. When I hear what others have to say today about his contribution to their lives I can not stop praising Robert Dial.

David Gruccio

July 8, 2017

Many years ago like last century I earned my bachelors degree in English from Akron University in part because of being in the many classes taught by Robert Dial. I am speaking about the literature classes dealing with the nineteenth century, poetry appreciation and film. Robert taught me to think about literature - Thomas Hardy, nineteenth century English literature, Victorian literature, twentieth century stuff from many places, poetry of various kinds, and an appreciation of film. His numerous conversations with me about the film "Barry Lindon" still stay with me. I remember explaining the meaning of the Italian word "piano" in his class about poetry. I still keep and read the textbooks from those classes. He assigned novels that told much about England and his attitude about reading literature. Robert allowed his students to speak and write about what they read and saw. Admiration for so many authors is what he transferred to me. It was his two classes about film appreciation that stayed with me for reasons that still resonate for me as I recall going to see films that he discussed in class. Robert liked to teach undergraduate students for reasons that still are worth while considering today. He made literature approachable and meaningful for me. Robert was a good human being with compassion for the less fortunate. His sense of humor was more than just having a sharp whit. Robert brought humor to his relations with people. Student centered to the highest degree imaginable then. Most important for me was his desire to talk about jazz music. I learned much about poetry from him. My degree is because of what he taught me then. But moreover my attitude toward society and writing is the result of being one of his students.

Mike Harlan

July 7, 2017

Dr. Dial taught me Film Appreciation and Film Criticism at The University of Akron. I was a Computer Science major and selected his classes as part of my electives. His enthusiasm and love of film made *his* classes the ones I was so anxious to attend, even though it should have been the computer classes I was more interested in. Dr. Dial had a way of making his classes very desireable, entertaining and thought-provoking. I learned so much from him and I honestly do think about him nearly every time I read a film review. He left that kind of lasting impression. Godspeed, Dr. Dial. You are truly one of a kind.

Diana Chlebek

April 16, 2015

I will always remember Bob Dial for his sharp wit and extensive knowledge and appreciation of jazz and films. He was a kind, cultured and wise colleague and is sorely missed by many. Rest in peace, Bob. -- Diana Chlebek, University of Akron colleague

Kathleen McKenna

April 14, 2015

I miss him so very much. He changed my life with his love, music, humor, curiosity, accents, and so much more. He was so proud to teach me how to bowl with a buckeye down his driveway.

Steve Dial

April 13, 2015

A celebration of Bob's life will be held on April 25th at Quaker Station in Akron from 4 to 7 pm. We look forward to meeting you and sharing time with you.

charlotte stock

March 18, 2015

So sorry to hear about your dad. He was a wonderful man. His humor was to.be admired.Sonia and him were so happy together and had wonderful life . We will never forget him. He is in Gods arms now.

Lisa Shelly

February 23, 2015

Ruth and Steve--I'm very sorry to hear of your loss--losing one's dad is a hard thing to experience. Our love and prayers to you and your families--Lisa and Bob

david gruccio

February 23, 2015

I have more good things to say about Robert Dial as a teacher and as a person. As I recall one of Robert Dial's accomplishments as a teacher at Akron University's Department of English last century was his preference for teaching undergraduates. He related well to younger undergraduates and to me since I was an untraditional student in many ways. Teaching undergraduates was what he wanted to do and he did this work well for many years. He also introduced me and others to novels of lesser known authors from that late nineteenth century and early twentieth century periods of English literary history. I and others learned about George Gissing and several novels that we might not have studied had we concentrated on the better known novels of this same period. We did spend time discussing and we did do justice to the reputation of Joseph Conrad and Thackeray and George Eliot and Thomas Hardy. With Bob Dial's help I and others had a chance to learn something about the novel "Grubb Street" and "Toto Bungay". That was an important contribution to my formal education in literature at Akron University. I remember that he sat in the same desks or chairs next to the students rather than lecture to us from the podium in formal manner. As for teaching serious things he was best at being informal. I recall his love of film and music that propelled people to investigate different aspects of the literary works that were being discussed in class - especially for poetry appreciation and British literature from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Robert made many contributions to my formal education especially motivating me to obtain the B.A. degree. Yes, I learned how to analyze literature especially novels and poetry by being in his class and asking questions. He was my teacher for an introduction to fiction and poetry course last century when I first undertook the challenge to begin the study of literature. Many landmarks of great fiction like short stories and short novels and poetry became important for me to read long after the classesI ended. I recall asking questions about Ogden Nash and getting a good answer from Robert. Robert and I knew about jazz music and did discuss it often. He was A I believe one of the people who told me about a jazz recital given by the pianist Red Garland at the Bank in downtown Akron many years ago. For me to hear Red Garland in Akron was a real musical treat. For me to know Bob Dial was even something better. He also was one of the people who attended a recital given by the saxophonist Ornette Coleman in the eastern part of the Akron area last century with me. There might be some wisdom in forming a Robert Dial Association for remember- ing his work as a teacher at the University of Akron. The English department would do itself a favor by paying tribute to his contribution to the formal education in literature for so many undergraduates who were fortunate enough to take classes from him. A scholarship in his honor might be a worth while endeavor to pursue and establish. He shouldn't be forgotten. I will remember
him for his sense of humor and good informal teaching strategies that were effective and worthy of emulation.

Robert Pope

February 23, 2015

Bob was a wonderful teacher and friend in the English Department. Blessings to his family.

Bob & Gertha Brubaker

February 23, 2015

Prayers to all the family. Bob was a great friend and will be in our hearts forever.

david gruccio

February 22, 2015

Here are many more words of praise in my effort to commemorate Robert Dial as a teacher at the University of Akron last century. He was an intellectual mentor for me for many reasons - in part because he told me about modern literature with connections with the twentieth century that were there to not be missed. Excursions to continental and american literature were there to be gathered, but his principal contribution to my literary education was English literature "Toto Bungay" written by H G Wells was the novel that Robert Dial introduced to me and others in his british literature class many years ago last century at Akron University when I was seriously contemplating getting a B.A. degree in English. I did get the degree eventually in 1980. I have thought about his for many years as I have recalled his role as a teacher. Robert's contribution to me and others is that he introduced students to lesser known authors like George Gissing and many others who did not get the top billing of acclaim as do Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Joseph Conrad today and even yesterday. George Eliot was even a central part of his course in late nineteenth century British literature. These lesser known authors in English literature class filled up much of my reading time. I valued his contribution to my formal education and I would really like to reminisce with others who have fond memories from these classes. Do not mistake these statements. He did concentrate on teaching Conrad, Meredith, Eliot and Hardy. Thackeray was even included in his range of topics for instruction. Late nineteenth century literature was emphasizing the novels over other forms. I recall how Robert would summarize the importance of an author and them leave it up to the students to come to their own conclusions. He was not didactic or forceful in pushing his ideas forward. Remember this was years before the computer made an appearance in learning. His knowledge of music and poetry was good for his students. But it was his knowledge of adapting a novel to becoming a film version of the same novel under discussion that made so many of his classes worth while for me to take. I think that I took three or more of his classes - appreciation of poetry was the first. I liked his knowledge of novels from the late nineteenth century the most. Discussions about Hardy and adaptions of "Tess" were never ending when it came to talking about film adaptions of a novel. He was my teacher for the novel in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Robert related easily with undergraduates. I think that he wanted to teach them rather than older graduates and I could see why. Appreciation of the novel was his goal in teaching these authors and he did his best to involve the minds of the undergraduates in this endeavor. He was not didactic or forceful in pushing his ideas. There was a soft gentle side to Robert Dial as a teacher. He sat in chairs next to students in class rather than lecture to them from the podium. This approach was a most rewarding strategy for teaching poetry. For this reason I and others do have fond memories of Robert Dial as a teacher.

david gruccio

February 22, 2015

This statement is a continuation of my past essay of condolences memories about Robert Dial. I might have left out a few things. Condolences to his family. Robert was one of my favorite persons from the university and community. I am glad that I knew Robert Dial. I recall attending his retirement party at his house near Portage Country Club. He was my teacher for courses in British literature like late nineteenth century and poetry appreciation. I believe that I learned to write better as a result of being a student in his class, But his lasting contribution to my life went beyond just being in his class. He was a friend as a partner for conversations about many topics. Much of my life as an adult was formed as a result me knowing Bob Dial with communication. I still look at and read the old text books that he asked me and others to buy for his classes - novels by George Eliot and others including Thomas Hardy. Discussions about the novels of Thomas Hardy were important parts of my formal education at the university. I learned to appreciate the novels of Joseph Conrad with the help of Robert Dial. His conversation with me about the movie "Barry Lyndon" was seminal in my appreciation of film. It was his love of jazz music and his willingness to share with me and others recordings and ideas about jazz that I remember as well. Robert knew jazz from a certain period and talked with me about the music and musicians. Earlier he was involved in starting up jazz appreciation maybe in the Akron Jazz orchestra and other efforts that received their earlier chances to be born as a result of his efforts to get funding with the Ohio Arts Council last century. It was perhaps one of his best and earliest accomplishments in getting music going in the area with the help of fellow musicians. Robert was an active member of the arts community for this city in years past. For this reason and others many people should appreciate his contribution to the cultural life of Akron. Poetry was one of his areas of teaching students. I would like to meet and talk with the students who were in the his classes at those times. Robert was a liberal for politics but that did not interfere in his teaching others. I might have met him at the old Akron Art Museum's Thursday night at dusk programs. Robert related well with younger students as well as me last century. He introduced me and others to lesser known British novelists and even encroached into the twentieth century. Robert was a source of good inspiration for many things. Few people were more instrumental for my success with formal education at the university than Robert Dial. May he rest in peace.

February 22, 2015

I am sad for the death of Robert Dial. Robert Dial was a lasting influence in my life as an adult for many reasons. I remember meeting him forty or perhaps forty five years ago when I was wondering what to study and whether a degree in English would be worth my time. He gave me reasons to study English as away to learn about a certain brands of creativity. I recall when I was wandering around the old university campus and came upon his old office. At the time his office was to be found in one of the old houses still standing along Buchtel Avenue before large scale campus renovation started in earnest. I went to that office several times to speak with him him. I considered him to be a good friend. He was one of my earliest teachers of literature and film at the University of Akron. He was a conservation partner about many topics including jazz and literature. I remember attending his birthday years ago. I recall visiting him this house. He was most instrumental in propelling me forward toward the acquisition of a degree in English at the same university last century. I do recall visiting him at his office to discuss the movies that he was teaching like "Barry Lyndon"and other films that had become movies after being novels that he also taught to students. I fondly recall our conversation about the film "Barry Lyndon" in his office in Olin Hall. He was my teacher for courses in poetry and late nineteenth century British literature. Thomas Hardy and others from that literary period still resonate in my mind with the teachings of Bob Dial. I still have the text books that he asked me and others read in that course. He was an inspiration for me with his love of films and ways to convert a story or a novel to a movie. He taught me about Bob Dylan and other poets. It was in his poetry class that I introduced certain words like "piano" from Italian for personal enrichment and understanding of poetry. I attended parties at his house - most fondly remembered was his seventieth birthday party. He took good care of his wife. I recall visiting the department of English office just to see him but having the chance to speak with Sonia. He and I exchanged information about jazz and I think we exchanged recordings to propel a good conversation forward on many occasions. Robert Dial was my academic advisor about choosing courses to take from his department during my years of enrollment in that department in pursuit of a degree. Robert had good sense of humor that he shared with me on many occasions. Robert Dial was a good source of advice for political matters too. I knew Bob and visited his house when he lived in the old neighborhood of Aqueduct Street. Robert and I were on the same page for discussing several topics. He gave me academic motivation to complete the B. A. degree in English. For that I am grateful. Much of my progress at the university can be traced to his influence. Robert was a good person for me to know.

The Staff of Billow Funeral Homes

February 22, 2015

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.

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