Willard R. Thurlow *42
Willard died April 1, 2022, at the age of 103.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown in 1939 and a Ph.D. in psychology from Princeton in 1942.
During World War II, Willard worked with the University of California Division of War Research, the Columbia University Division of War Research, and the Air Force on pilot and submariner aptitude testing. After the war he held academic positions at the universities of Missouri and Virginia before teaching psychology at the University of Wisconsin from 1952 to 1987.
Willard’s research embraced the psychology of hearing and sound localization. He devised practical ways to aid the hearing and visually impaired, including a “better Braille” system, early electronic telephone hearing-assist devices, and a mechanical device for tactile messaging for the blind/deaf.
A fellow of the American Psychological Association, Willard’s memberships included the Acoustical Society of America, the Psychonomic Society, and the American Auditory Society.
He enjoyed tutoring gifted students in math. His skills as a pianist and accompanist were as marvelous as his puns were bad.
Predeceased by his wife Connie, Willard is survived by sons Peter, Tom, and Steve, and seven grandchildren.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.
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