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Obituaries

Colonel Joseph Matthew Madden

Earlier this year, I received the sad news that Joseph Matt Madden had died. Matt served as my advisor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I completed my MS degree, and served as a professor and/or advisor to many current SIOP members, including Frank Saal, Walter Freytag, Robert McIntyre, Bill Balzer and Bob Goldsmith. Matt served as the first head of the Department of Psychology and Leadership, U.S. Air Force Academy, and he helped found and develop the graduate program in industrial-organizational psychology, where many prominent I-O psychologists got their start.

Matts interests in I-O evolved over the years. Early in his career, he worked with Ray Christal on many of the pioneering efforts in task analysis. By the time I met Matt, he had become interested in Organizational Development, and he taught excellent seminars and labs in this area. He was an excellent mentor, and was a favorite professor of virtually every I-O student to pass through the program. His colleagues and students organized a conference in honor of his 1986 retirement, and this conference led to the book Psychology in Organizations: Integrating Science and Practice (Murphy & Saal, Eds., 1990).

Prior to his academic career, Matt had a distinguished career in the Air Force, flying over 70 combat missions in Europe and Korea. He was also a distinguished horseman, competing and judging in dressage. He was a warm and wonderful person, and he is greatly missed by all who knew him.

Joseph is survived by his wife Linda, sister Ellen Sigmund, daughters Barbara Winsborough, Sue Mandas, and grandson Jonathan Mandas. Everyone he touched will remember him for his kind and generous spirit.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arlington Rescue Squad or the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Shaftsbury through the funeral home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

Kevin Murphy

 

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