Robert L. Windham Jr., longtime college professor and former DISD teacher and social worker, died on November 22, 2021. Born in 1930, he spent most of his life in the Dallas area, having attended Greiner Jr. High School and Sunset High School. After graduation, he enrolled in SMU where he pledged Kappa Alpha social fraternity and became a member of various campus organizations. In 1954, he joined the Army and was assigned to the Counter Intelligence Corps, learning Japanese to become an interviewer. Discharged in the latter 50's, he began teaching in DISD at Hood Jr. High and Samuel High School. Meanwhile, he began pursuing his graduate degrees, receiving his masters from the University of North Texas and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M Commerce.
In 1969, he became an Assistant professor at Midwestern University, but left in 1971 to accept a joint appointment with the DISD and Texas A&M Commerce. This position was created by the DISD and Texas A&M Commerce to collaborate with six other surrounding universities to design and implement an innovative program to prepare teachers and administrators to more effectively serve diverse areas of the city. Working in staff development and supervising student-teachers, he was the coordinator of the project for Texas A&M Commerce. The program became known as the Dallas Teacher Education Center: A Consortium. Having received numerous federal grants and national awards for its contribution to the field of teacher education, the new paradigm was either adopted or adapted for use in large metropolitan areas throughout the country. Subsequently, he became a full-time professor at Texas A&M Commerce, where he served as advisor to master's and doctoral students, published numerous articles in professional journals, co-authored several books with colleagues, and was a member of various local and national professional organizations. He was elected or appointed to many campus committees and received awards for his effective teaching. Serving as President of the Faculty Senate for two consecutive years, he was also named Outstanding Graduate Professor of the Year by the Doctoral Students' Association. After retiring in 2001, the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M University System bestowed upon him the designation Professor Emeritus of Higher Education.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews including Susan Sorrells and Laura and John Chaney of Dallas; Mitzi and J. P. Jones and Zane and Shelene Windham and their children all of Austin. He is also survived by sister-in-law Sherry Windham of Austin. He is pre-deceased by his brother Jesse N. Windham and sister Sarah Windham Sorrells. In addition, he leaves behind numerous former students who have benefitted from his knowledge, insight, and compassion.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 27, at 2 pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, 75225. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of Dallas or the American Diabetes Association.
