Gordon J. DiRenzo, Ph.D.

Gordon J. DiRenzo, Ph.D., of Little Baltimore Farms, Hockessin, Delaware, passed away on April 30, 2017 in the comfort of his home. Born in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, he was 82 years of age.

Dr. DiRenzo was an emeritus professor of sociology and social psychology from the University of Delaware where he served as a member of the faculty for thirty-five years. He also conducted a private practice as a licensed clinical psychologist for many years.

Dr. DiRenzo was a cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame from which he also received a master’s degree and doctorate, and he had done graduate work at Harvard University as well as post-doctoral studies at Columbia University and the University of Colorado.

He joined the faculty of the University of Delaware in 1970 as Unidel Professor of Sociology, after serving as a member of the faculty of a number of colleges and universities, including Indiana University, Fairfield University, the University of Portland (Oregon), Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and the University of Notre Dame.

Professor DiRenzo studied, lectured and traveled extensively in foreign countries. He served at the University of Rome in 1960-61 as a Visiting Research Sociologist under a grant from the Ministry of Education, and again in 1968-69 as a Senior Fulbright-Hays Professor of Sociology. During the 1980-81 academic year, Dr. DiRenzo served as Senior Fulbright-Hays Professor of Sociology at the University of Bologna in Italy.

Dr. DiRenzo specialized in the fields of social psychology, personality, social psychiatry, medical social psychology, psychology of politics, personality psychology, American social character, and Italian society and culture.

Professor DiRenzo was the author or co-author of numerous publications in the behavioral sciences, including twelve books, four of which are in the Italian language. Among his major works are Human Social Behavior; We, the People: American Character and Social change; Personality and Politics; Concepts, Theory, and Explanation in the Behavioral Sciences, and Personality, Power and Politics. He was the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including an Excellence-in-Teaching Award from the University of Delaware in 1992.

Dr. DiRenzo was an affiliate member of the medical staff of St. Francis Hospital, with an appointment in the departments of Psychiatry and Family Practice, since 1980. He previously held similar appointments at the Medical Center of Delaware, Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia, and the Rockford Center. He inaugurated and served as director of the behavioral science programs in the Departments of Family Practice at Christian Care, St. Francis Hospital, and Northeastern Hospital. He also was a consultant to a variety of medical agencies, corporations, publishers, and news media.

Dr. DiRenzo for many years served as a member, executive secretary and vice president of the Board of Examiners of Psychologist for the State of Delaware with appointments and re-appointments by three governors. He was honored with induction as a Fellow of the Association of State and Provincial Boards of Psychology in 2006. He was appointed Honorary Commander of the 436th Medical Support Squadron at Dover Air Force Base in 2005. He also served as president of the Class of 1956 of the University of Notre Dame since 2001.

Dr. DiRenzo was a Fellow of the American Sociological Association, as well as a member of several other professional associations, including the American Psychological Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Political Science Association, the Association for the Behavioral Sciences in Medical Education, and the American Association of University Professors.

Dr. DiRenzo is listed in several biographical references, including Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, American Men and Women of Sciences, International Who’s Who in Education, Who’s Who in American Education, and Contemporary Authors. Dr. DiRenzo was an avid photographer and world traveler, having visited over 80 countries. He also was a private pilot and enjoyed wine-making.

Dr. DiRenzo is survived by his former wife, Mary Ryan DiRenzo; his three children and their spouses, Maria Giulia Lambert (Richard) of Wilmington, Chiara Veronica Clemens (Tony) of Avondale, PA and Marco Santo DiRenzo (Jessica) of Carmel Valley, CA; and his grandchildren, Natalia and Cade Reisenauer; Reese, Ryan, Rory and Ridley Lambert; Luna and his soon-to-be born grandson, Dominic DiRenzo. He was predeceased by his grandson, Ryland James Lambert.

Papa, as he was affectionately called by his children and grandchildren, will be remembered as the loving and steadfast patriarch of his family.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday, May 7, 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 901 N. DuPont St., Wilmington, DE 19805. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery-Ashland in Hockessin. A luncheon will be held at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Rd., Newark, Delaware at 12:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the DiRenzo Family Charitable Fund with checks made payable to the SEI Giving Fund, c/o SEI Private Trust, 1 Freedom Valley Drive, P.O. Box 1098, Oaks, PA 19456.

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