Professor Ken Rotenberg 1950-2023

It is with great sadness that we lost a key and long-standing member of the School of Psychology at Keele University on Monday 4 December, 2023. Professor Ken Rotenberg had been a member of the School since 1999, when he joined us after previously being Head of Psychology at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Ken’s education was in Canada where he received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, followed by his Master’s in Psychology from the University of Guelph, and finally his PhD in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. Ken’s expertise was as a Social Psychologist and Social Development researcher who specialised in the Psychology of Trust. A prolific researcher, Ken published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as several books on topics of Trust as well as Loneliness in Childhood and Adolescence.

Ken retired and became an Emeritus Professor at Keele in January 2021. Never one to slow down, Ken was still a key and present member of the school until his untimely death. Ken was always willing to make time to talk with colleagues, often to discuss potential research collaboration; indeed, Ken’s enthusiasm and energy for research was infectious. Outside of work, he had a keen passion for acoustic guitar and even released some music onto Spotify. He showcased his musical talents frequently by taking part in open mic nights at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. 

We will greatly miss Ken as a colleague and as a long-standing and vibrant member of the school. The “Ken Rotenberg Award” - an award recently established to celebrate the best MSc Research Dissertation each year—will ensure that his legacy for academic excellence lives on. Ken had a huge impact on both the School of Psychology as well as on us as colleagues and the following messages from colleagues in the School demonstrate both the breadth and depth of his influence and colleagues’ respect for him:

I've known Ken as a colleague in Keele’s School of Psychology for nearly a quarter of a century. We've occasionally collaborated on projects and I've always found him to be curious, humorous, friendly, supportive and someone who would go out of their way to foster social interaction.

I remember fondly being invited to attend the house-warming at Ken’s beautiful home with Carol in Cheshire. A warm and generous welcome awaited me, together with a fantastic spread of party food and drinks. As they showed me round their new place that night it was obvious that Ken and Carol made a fantastic couple who were devoted to one another.

Like many academic psychologists Ken was a musician, composing and performing folk songs on his acoustic guitar. We bonded over music and Ken would often be excited to tell me of his open mic nights in Liverpool's famous Cavern Club. Within the last few weeks Ken was telling me about a recent recording project he had been engaged in. I still have some of his MP3's on my phone which I will listen to from time to time to remind me of a valued colleague. Rest in Peace.

Richard Stephens

I first got to know Ken over a decade ago as an undergraduate student. I really enjoyed his enthusiasm teaching his final year specialist module on disclosure processes in children. One particularly fond memory is presentation week. Students had 10 minute slots throughout the class to give a presentation review of a paper. It turned out that most of the other students had bailed that week, and being an overenthusiastic nerd myself, I (wrongly) thought – great, I get the whole hour to do my presentation! Rather than cut me off midway through, embarrass me or dampen my enthusiasm, Ken was kind, encouraging and patient and gave my unconventional hour-long presentation his full attention. I often recall this compassion now as an educator at times when students misunderstand guidance but show enthusiasm and interest. Ken’s kindness was evident. He always said hello in the corridor or around the campus and on one occasion he spotted me at the students' union bus stop in the pouring rain and offered me a lift into town. Returning to Keele in 2016 as a new lecturer, Ken welcomed me warmly and suggested opportunities for research collaborations. He was a thoughtful warm person and an inspiring educator. My thoughts are very much with Ken’s loved ones especially his wife Carol whom he spoke so fondly about.

Katie Wright-Bevans

I hardly knew Ken before we started to share an office last year. We had discovered that we had arrived at Keele the same year. For most of the previous years, when he saw me, he used to say 'Hello, young lady', (we recently discovered that I am several years older than him!). He was very supportive, showing interest in me and my research. I felt respected as a colleague, even though I am much lower in academic rank and he a professor and much-published academic!

I don't think Ken would have ever managed to ‘retire’ in the sense of leaving his research, as he talked about all the things he still was intending to do. He was passionate about his research. I discovered we both shared an enthusiasm for music, and I am glad he had managed to get some of his own music recorded and this is now on Spotify. He told me all about it and he was really pleased to have organised it.

Many people will miss him a great deal - a very intense, passionate researcher, but also very interested in all the students he had taught. Copies of the PhD students’ theses and, I suppose, MSc students’ dissertations he had supervised over the years, line a long section of the bookshelf in the Emeritus office.

Rest in peace, Ken.

Geraldine Leighton

Ken was a cheery fellow and would always ask how I was and how my family was getting on. He was passionate about his research and music. I recall he used to play basketball and also joined us across the sports centre for a game of football back in the good old days. There are a couple of fun (technical) facts I remember about Ken, the first was that he loved a lamp (or ten) in his office which made PAT testing memorable. The second was a dedication to his hard work, he held the record for the most replacement keyboards in the school, they would either stop working, keys came off, and one had to be replaced because he'd worn most of the letters off by typing!!

My thoughts are with Ken's family at this very difficult time.

Andrew Knipe

I remember Ken in the audience for my lectureship interview – he asked me some tough questions!  It showed how insightful and informed he was about psychology.  Then during the lunch he came over and chatted with me in a very friendly way – which showed what a nice bloke he was.  Every time I saw him in the corridor he asked how I was and how my family was doing, He was always up to something interesting, whether it was his research or playing music.  He was a real institution in our school and I still can’t believe he’s gone.  It won’t be the same without him ambling the corridors.

Chris Stiff

From my very first week working at Keele, it was obvious how warm and welcoming Ken was. He invited me for coffees and lunches when I didn’t know anyone here, and he could often be heard in the corridors, chatting enthusiastically to people. He was a real character in the department, and everybody knew him! He was incredibly passionate about his research, and he had an unwavering dedication to sharing his knowledge with others through his many publications. He was also passionate about music and travelling, and we had many a conversation about rock and blues, or swapping travel experiences and itineraries. Outside of work, Ken serenaded us on guitar, and I have fond memories of Ken and Carol dancing to Goldfinger at their wedding! He recently took the plunge and had some of his original songs recorded at a studio. These are now available online, so Ken’s legacy will live on, not only through his publications, but also through Spotify! He will be missed.

Donna Berry

It is clear the impact that Ken had on the School of Psychology at Keele during his decades of working here. Our thoughts are with Ken’s family at this sad time.

Professor Abigail Locke, Head of School and Colleagues at The School of Psychology, Keele University.