NEW BEDFORD -- Charles Richard Porter, 82, died Sunday Oct. 2, 2005, at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of Eugenia (Goetsch) Porter.
Born in Nashville, Tenn., he was the son of the late Richard M. and Helen (Laitenberger) Porter. A graduate of Father Ryan's School in Nashville, he received his bachelor's degree in English from Vanderbilt University and was the first student of psychology there. He continued his education at Vanderbilt University and received his master's degree. Later he studied a Yale University for his Ph.D.
He was a World War II Army veteran.
His first teaching experience was at Western Reserve University, now Case Reserve, followed by an academic appointment at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It was at that time he and Eugenia were married in 1958. He was then appointed an assistant professor at the American University in Washington, followed by a position at Wilson College, an all-girls school, in Chambersburg, Pa. He was then invited to Southeastern Massachusetts University to chair the Psychology Department and was enthralled by the architecture of the campus, which was designed by Paul Rudolph. He retired at the age of 62.
While still maintaining his home in New Bedford, he and his wife lived in New York for a few years and he taught at Jersey City State College.
Survivors include his widow; and two cousins, Norma Hooker of Jacksonville, Fla. and Mildred Rice of Nashville. His arrangements are private. Burial is private in Calvary Cemetery, Nashville, Tenn.
REMEMBRANCES IN HIS NAME MAY BE MADE TO VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND SENT TO THE WILSON CHAPEL, 470 COUNTY ST., NEW BEDFORD, Ma.