Taught German and Jewish history at Earlham College

Robert F. Southard, 62, of Liberty, Indiana, and Oxford, Ohio, died unexpectedly on November 6, 2007, in Chicago, Illinois.

Bob Southard was born July 27, 1945, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Paul J. and Helen Fairbairn Southard, and was raised in New Jersey. He graduated from Teaneck High School in 1962. He was a graduate of Columbia College of Columbia University, receiving a degree in history in 1966. He earned a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1974, and completed postgraduate work at Hebrew Union College.

Bob Southard had served as a professor of history and Jewish studies at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, since 1971. He was also associate academic dean for five years until 2006. At the time of his death, Southard was teaching at an advanced research seminar at the Newberry Library in Chicago, for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, on "Words and Deeds." His publications include a book, Droysen and the Prussian School of History, and numerous articles and presentations on German and Jewish intellectual history.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years Edna Southard; two sons David Southard of Fort Myers, Florida, and Jared Southard of Burlington, Vermont; one brother John Southard of Mansfield, Massachusetts; and two nephews Peter and Douglas Southard. His parents are deceased. Southard was a member of Beth Boruk Temple in Richmond, Indiana.

Graveside services with burial were held Sunday, November 11, 2007, at Earlham Cemetery, with Rabbi Amy Greenbaum officiating and Rabbi Matthew Krauss commenting. A campus-wide memorial service was held on March 2, 2008, in Stout Meetinghouse. Memorial contributions may be given to a fund in Southard’s name at Earlham College, 801 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374.

—Earlham College