Ronald W. Rebore, Ph.D.: 1943-2020
Ronald William Rebore, Ph.D., a longtime faculty member in educational leadership and higher education and a Saint Louis University alumnus, died on July 4, 2020. He was 77.
Rebore taught in SLU’s Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education. He also served as the associate dean for academic affairs at SLU’s Graduate School. His brother, William Rebore, Ph.D., is an associate professor emeritus at SLU, also in Leadership and Higher Education.
“Ron was a great man, a generous soul, and an outstanding scholar and colleague,” said John James, Ed.D., associate professor in leadership and higher education. “He made me feel extremely welcomed when I came to SLU nearly 20 years ago, serving as chair of the search committee and taking it upon himself to take my wife and I around the Saint Louis area in our house hunting.”
Susan Everson, Ph.D., an associate professor in leadership and higher education, also said Rebore was welcoming from the start.
“More than 20 years ago, when I visited SLU during the search process, I met Ron at an interview dinner with Bill and a graduate student. I had been told the dinner was important because Bill and Ron influenced everything about the Ed Leadership Program,” Everson said. “What I discovered were two dedicated, knowledgeable, respected educational leaders, who were kind, warm, open and fun. Ron was devoted to the concepts of ethics in leadership, and he shared that devotion with his colleagues and students. The work is embedded in our doctoral programs and in our teaching.”
Rebore grew up in North St. Louis City. After completing Cardinal Glennon College Seminary with degrees in Philosophy and English, he left the seminary for a career in secondary education.
During his career, he served as a high school teacher, high school guidance counselor, superintendent for Valley Park School District, assistant superintendent for business and finance for Lindbergh School District, and assistant superintendent and superintendent for Special School District.
Rebore earned his Ph.D. in School Business and Administration at SLU.
“Ron was an advocate for new hires helping guide them into the research process,” said Jody Wood, Ed.D., associate professor of educational leadership. “He always gave sage advice and was willing to assist however possible as we began our journey in the field of higher education.”
As a scholar, he was influenced by the lives and works of St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Thomas More and St. Ignatius of Loyola.
“I was a student of Dr. Rebore’s between 1990 and 1994. I was impressed by how he responded to questions from over 20+ doctoral students about their dissertations/projects without missing a beat, spontaneously knowing who was working on what topic, using what research design, and where they were in the process from week to week,” said Karen Tichy, Ed.D., assistant professor of educational leadership. “In 2015, I was honored to become Ron’s colleague in the School of Education.”
Rebore was preceded in death by his parents William and Harriet Rebore.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandy; son Ron Rebore, Jr. (Megan Daly); daughter Lisa Hamel; grandsons Will and Henry Rebore; grandsons Luke, Joe, and Max Hamel; granddaughter Tessa Hamel; brother William Rebore, Jr. (Joyce); sister Debra Happel (Ted); sister-in-law Jane Lavin; brother-in-law Jim Ostoin (Vickie); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A private funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Park with internment at Resurrection Cemetery. A celebration of life for his family and friends will be scheduled on a future date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province at 314-361-7765.