Bertram Paul Karon

Dr. Bertram Karon, age 89, passed away on Sunday, August 25, in Lansing, Michigan, after a nearly 3 month hospital struggle. He was born April 29, 1930, in Taunton, Massachusetts to parents Harold and Cecelia Karon. He is survived by sons Jonathan Karon and his wife Kim, Brent Armstrong and his wife Jean, and Blake Armstrong and his wife Holly.

Dr. Karon received a Bachelors degree from Harvard University, and an MA and Ph.D in Psychology from Princeton University. He was Professor Emeritus in Psychology at Michigan State University, which faculty he had joined in 1962. Dr. Karon was a prolific writer and scholar, publishing over 100 peer reviewed articles, close to 50 book chapters, and two books. A recent edited book of his collected essays was published in 2018. He was an award-winning master teacher and a valued mentor to many in the field of clinical psychology. He was past President of the Division of Psychoanalysis of the American Psychological Association. Not content with a strictly academic career, Dr. Karon continued his psychoanalytic practice throughout his life. A talented clinician, he successfully restored to emotional health – through great skill, insight, and kindness – many patients suffering the most severe and disabling mental illnesses.

Although he suffered devastating injury in an automobile accident 12 years ago, Dr. Karon was able to return to live and work at his home in East Lansing, Michigan until his final illness, thanks in large part to the devotion of his wife, Mary, and to the kind, careful attention of his caregivers. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Katherine Karon, and by his brother Edward Karon, who like Bert was also a psychologist.

Dr. Karon’s memorial service will be held at the University Club in Lansing, Michigan, of which he was an original and life-long member on Saturday, October 19 at 5:30 PM. His family would love to see you there! Please RSVP with the following link, as the University Club will be serving dinner: [email protected]