Henry Sherman Oberly Biography

Henry Sherman Oberly Biography

Born April 2, 1898 in Decataur. Illinois
Married Charlotte Peters, August 19, 1922
Died March 24, 1967 in Richmond, Virginia
Henry Sherman Oberly, known as "Sherm," was one of two sons of Frank Oberly, a Lutheran minister. His brother Robert became a Lutheran missionary to India and Africa. Sherm graduated from Muhlenberg College, then started graduate work in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1920. He was also appointed as an instructor in psychology at Penn in 1920. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in 1924, he became a regular faculty member in the Psychology Department. In the same year, his daughter Joan was born.

He was an avid amateur photograph and movie maker, recording numerous family gatherings and a 1934 trip to visit his brother Bob in Liberia, taking along Joan to the jungle. (New son Robert was left behind with Charlotte.)

In 1939 he was appointed Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, where he served until in 1949 he was appointed President of Roanoke College in Salem, Virgina. He guided Roanoke College through difficult times, and was a dynamic fund raiser. During his tenure that lasted until 1963, a new library and other buildings resulted from his success at fund raising, the enrollment almost doubled, and the academic standing of the college increased.

He retired in 1963, but immediately became national Worthy Grand Chief of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Under his leadership, ATO started a process to remove restrictive membership requirements.

The above text is a compilation of various obituaries and articles from ATO and Roanoke College publications.


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