Dr. Robert I. Velzy
Dr. Robert I. Velzy was born at home in Silver Creek, N.Y. to Ivan I and Julia Desor Velzy on October 15, 1931. He graduated from Silver Creek High School with New York State regents college entrance diploma majoring in Latin. After graduation he attended Florida State University, University of Wisconsin, Harvard University and the Jung Institute of Analytic Psychology in Zurich, Switzerland. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha international social fraternity and the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity while at Florida State University. He was a commissioned Ensign in the United States Navy on May 6, 1955. While attending the supply officers school initiate Athens, GA, he directed the supply officers chorus. During the Korean War he served as the dispersing officer on the ISS Gen. J.C. Breckinridge throughout the Pacific front. Before leaving the Navy, he served as the food service officer at the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, Florida. While at Pensacola, he married Myrtle L. Respress on July 26 1958 at the Naval Air Station Chapel. Dr. Velzy was hired in 1958 as instructor of psychology, director of the Students Union and director of food service at the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. He became advisor to the Lambda Sigma Pi fraternity a position he held for 30 years. He was also an honor initiate of the Iota Rho chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi honorary fraternity, elected to Who’s Who in American Education, 1965, and was selected to Outstanding Young Men of American 1966. He was director of the university ski school 1968-69. He was director of the Crystal Caprice Winter Carnival and Cotillion. He was the originator and director of the popular Madrigal Dinner Concerts from 1960 to 1969. He was a member of the Grant County Mental Health Assn. and originated the student training program at the Grant County Mental Hospital. His musical career began at age 7 as a piano student of Elsie Steiger of Dunkirk, NY. While yet in high school he became a student of professor Vivian Major at the SUNY campus in Fredonia, NY followed by Dr. George Wright of Columbia University and the professor Leo Steffens at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He also studied organ with Squire Haskins of the First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, NY. His professional academic career began at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville where he taught the first psychology course in the fall of 1959. He then structured the courses for the psychology minor in 1960 which later developed into the psychology major. During his tenure, he taught courses in General, Child, Abnormal, Clinical, Theories of Personality, Social, Industrial psychology and Human Sexuality. Dr. Velzy and his wife were avid gardeners producing fresh vegetables for their popular supper Club, Thre Timbers. He was the main organist for 18 years playing the, at the time, the world’s largest electronic theater pipe organ. Dr. Velzy in conjunction with Dean Rosamond Jones designed the curriculum for a business administration minor which later became the major and ultimately the college of business. He was elected as the chairperson of the Psychology Department in 1987 which position he held until his retirement as Professor Emeritus of Psychology in 1992. Following his retirement, the university honored Dr. Velzy with the dedication of the Robert I. Velzy Commons. In 1986 Robert and his wife donated the 42 rank concert pipe organ located in the auditorium of the Center for the Arts. While residing in Platteville, Wisconsin, he was appointed organist of the First Congregational Church in Lancaster Wisconsin. After service in that position for 25 years, he became the organist and choir director of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Platteville, Wisconsin. In 1993 he moved to St. James City, Florida. He was appointed as director of music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in St. James City in 1994. In that position he directed December Carol sing and he originated and directed the popular Greater Pine Island Hymn Sing during which he played a number of recital pieces. He was a member of the board of directors at the Pointe Royal condominium Association, a former member of the executive committee of the Ft. Myers Community Concert Association and later a member of the board at large. A memorial service will be held for Dr. Velzy on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at St. John’s Episcopal Church 7771 Stringfellow Road, St. James City, Florida 33956 beginning at 11 AM.