Dr. Robert P. Gallagher

Dr. Robert P. Gallagher of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at age 93. The youngest of eleven children born to Irish immigrant parents, Hugh and Hannah Gallagher in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Fitchburg State University and in 1962 participated in the Harvard University Prize Fellowship Competition and was awarded a scholarship to study for a master's degree in Counseling. This was rejected in favor of a three-year fellowship at Rutgers University to study for a masters and doctoral degree in counseling. Following his doctoral studies, he obtained employment at the University of Pittsburgh where he served, until his retirement, in several different capacities, including Psychologist, Director of Counseling Services, Associate Clinical Professor, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. During these years, in addition to his administrative duties and psychological services to students, he was very active in professional organizations. He published prolifically, was a frequent speaker at professional conferences, and served as an external consultant or program reviewer at over 50 colleges and universities. He has also held many leadership roles in national and regional professional associations including the Presidency of the International Association of Counseling Services, and he received numerous leadership awards for his contributions. In addition, between 1981 and 2014 he tracked significant national trends in college counseling through surveys of college counseling center directors and published the results in yearly monographs. The data from these surveys have been frequently quoted in articles and books written about psychological services to students and have also been quoted or featured in hundreds of mass media outlets. The 33 digitized surveys are maintained by University of Pittsburgh Library System at http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/view/centers/natsurcouncendir/

Following his retirement, Dr. Gallagher remained at the University as a part-time adjunct professor where he continued his research on college counseling centers. He also continued to consult and provide psychological assessment of candidates for various police departments, and of the elderly for the Allegheny County Protective Services Department. For most of the remainder of his life, he also worked three days a week providing psychotherapy to nursing home residents. For fun during these later years, he also made presentations to various professional and community groups on "Humor, the Antidote to Personal and Professional Stress." In all, he led a fulfilled life, full of good works, good humor, good friends, and the love of his extended family.

Dr. Gallagher is survived by his much-loved wife, Gwen, his son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Marae, and their daughters, Kayla (Adam) Ballester, and by his daughter, Kerry Gallagher, son-in-law, Stevan, and their children, Shane, Kyle, and Quinn, all much beloved.  He was sadly preceded in death by his grandson, David Gallagher. Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) on Thursday July 24, 2025 from 5-7PM. Funeral Friday, Mass of Christian Burial St. Bede Church of St. Mary Magdalene Parish at 10:30AM. Interment will be private. In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the David Gallagher Do Good Foundation.  Robert supported this foundation in honor of his grandson, which provides funding for underprivileged youth (especially around athletics), the homeless and other good causes.  More information at www.dogooddgfoundation.com.

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