Robert Henry Faley

Robert Henry Faley, age 68, died peacefully in the care of hospice on March 9, 2017 with his family by his side. He spent his last months under the compassionate loving care of the staff at Laurel Lake in Hudson. The son of the late Henry and Winifred (nee Goeke) Faley, his life began in New Jersey. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee and taught at Purdue before making Kent his home for more than 30 years.

A professor emeritus in the Kent State University Graduate School of Business, his interests were in the field of management/information systems, and particularly in the development of human resources. He received a U.S. patent for his work on functional databases and thoroughly enjoyed doing research, from which he produced numerous publications. Throughout his career, he was sought out by government and industry personnel seeking to use his expertise. He served several stints as a consultant with the federal government, most notably with the Tennessee Valley Authority, with the Office of Naval Research, and with the US Dept. of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, where he was formally recognized for his efforts. Dr. Faley received a number of recognitions while at Kent State including tenure and promotion to the rank of full professor.

Those who knew him well valued his tenacity and his fierce commitment to perfection, whether in the classroom, in his research, or in his avocation as an antique collector. Dr. Faley amassed an impressive collection of early American furniture and an extraordinary array of early 20th century art glass lamps, which he lovingly repaired, restored, and displayed throughout his home. He admired and respected the creativity, the precision, and the craftsmanship exhibited in his antiques.

Dr. Faley is survived by his wife of 38 years, Susan (nee Hoagland), daughter Katherine (Brad), sons Jesse and Ryan (Wendy), and three granddaughters whom he adored: Sarah, Grace and Keira. He is also survived by three siblings and by relatives in the Faley, Goeke, and Hoagland extended families.

End of life services will be private. However, the family welcomes condolences and personal recollections via www.bisslerandsons.com. Robert battled Parkinson's disease for more than 16 years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to InMotion, a nonprofit center devoted to the health and well-being of those affected by Parkinson's Disease (http://beinmotion.org/give/ 4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite M, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128), or to a charity of one's choice.