Pepperdine Mourns the Passing of Professor Emeritus Bob Gilliam

Bob Gilliam, Seaver College professor emeritus of psychology and academic computing and chair of the Social Science Division, passed away on August 3 at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas.

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Bible and psychology and a master’s degree in teaching, Gilliam earned a doctorate in education and returned to Harding University as professor and chair of the psychology department from 1960 to 1969. In 1970 he and his family moved to Malibu where Gilliam joined Pepperdine University as professor and chair of the Social Science Division, retiring in 1993. He received an Outstanding Teaching Award at both Harding and Pepperdine University and cofounded the Pepperdine University Faculty/Staff Scholarship Fund, encouraging faculty and staff to support outstanding students who needed financial assistance. When the Pepperdine men’s golf program was reinstituted in 1981, Gilliam served as the Waves’ head coach for three seasons before Bob Yokoi assumed duties in the 1984-1985 season.

Gilliam was known for his passion for life and sharing the love of Christ. At Pepperdine he was among the pioneers of the University Church of Christ fellowship, which in 1970 was established as a local presence prior to the construction of the new Seaver College campus.

Gilliam’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 7, at 2 PM at the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ in Little Rock, Arkansas, where Gilliam and his wife, Dorothy have been active members for nine years.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Gilliam; children and their spouses, Priscilla ('78) and Holden MacRae, David and Vanessa Gilliam, and daughter-in-law Lisette Osborne and her husband Earney Osborne; grandchildren and their spouses, Micala and Dan Clark, Manali MacRae, Cameron Gilliam, Whitney Gilliam, Tricia and Carl Schulze, Nathan and Jaime Gilliam, Zachary and Destiny Osborne; and great-grandchildren, CJ Schulze, Caleb, Rachael, Asa and Seth Gilliam, and Ellie Osborne. His son Roy Gilliam preceded him in death. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Gilliam's memory to the Pepperdine University Faculty/Staff Scholarship Fund.