Richard A. “Dick” Dienstbier
Dick went through the final transition of life on February 23rd, 2026.
He was born in Harrisburg, PA, and moved to Buffalo, NY at the age of 10 yrs.
He will be remembered as a loving father and husband, and dear friend to many.
He married Karen Gregory, of Providence, RI in May of 1961. They moved to Izmir, Turkey for 17 months while Dick finished out his time in the army and where their first son was born. Upon returning to Rhode Island, he found work in different businesses while he pursued his college education at the University of Rhode Island, where he received his Bachelor of Science and a master’s degree in psychology. During their time in Rhode Island, their 2nd son was born.
He and Karen moved to Rochester, NY with their 2 sons where he pursued a PhD in Social Psychology. In 1969 the family moved to Lincoln, NE where Dick became an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Within a few short years he became the Department Chair of Psychology, but preferred teaching, found research exciting, and returned to the classroom. He relished his time with his graduate students. His teaching, researching and writing career spanned more than 35 years. There was always something new to learn whatever the topic. During his years at UNL he also used his time to become a long-distance runner, running in many marathons including twice in the New York City marathon. He enjoyed testing his body in triathlon competitions.
He retired in 2005 but not from academics and publishing. He chaired the Nebraska Symposium on Motivation for many years. He’s the author of several books; most recently Building Resistance to Stress and Aging: The Toughness Model and Food for Thought: Nutrition and the Aging Brain.
Dick had many interests and loves; Cats moved in when the family came to Lincoln and have been a fixture in Dick and Karen’s lives ever since. Camping when the boys were younger and backpacking with Karen in the Rocky Mountains were summer adventures. World travel, African Safaris and documenting their journeys with his camera were all passions. Dick and Karen took full advantage of Lied performances and Lincoln Symphony Orchestra.
He is survived by his wife Karen, sons Dana (Christy) and Scott (Heather); granddaughters Lexi and Katrina; nieces and nephews.
The memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln, 6300 A St, Lincoln on April 11th at 10:30 am.
Donations in lieu of flowers to Olli (Osher Lifelong Learning), Planned Parenthood, or Doctors without Borders.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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Condolences for Richard A. “Dick” Dienstbier
Karen and family, I was so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. My thoughts are with you.
My best and thoughts are with you always.
Dick was a close friend and mentor in many. His kindness, high expectations, understanding, and empathy were important in his personal and professional life. Having kept up with him and Karen for many years I will miss him a great deal.
We are heartbroken for your loss. Our thought are with the family. He will be missed greatly.
Karen, we were so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing; you and your family are in our thoughts always.
Karen & family, I’m so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. My thoughts are with you at this time.
Dick was very instrumental in my decision to get my PhD in Social/Personality psychology. He was a pleasure to work with, and he made me a better teacher and scholar. He will be missed by many.
Dick was my beloved colleague from 1991 to his retirement. He was kind, thoughtful, and considerate. I loved the conversations we had over social psychological theory and research. When I was a new professor, a student came to my office door and was verbally aggressive over an exam grade. Immediately, Dick came out of his office and asked what was going on. The student’s demeanor changed instantly. I will always be grateful for Dick’s council and care. I know he influenced countless people and made their lives better. May his memory be a blessing. I send my deepest sympathy to the family and friends.
I’m so sorry Karen. My thoughts are with you as you go through this difficult transition. Hope to see you in the near future. M
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss of Richard. I just saw it in the newspaper, and I missed it last week. We talked a couple of weeks ago, and I had no idea that Richard was so sick. We will get together when you are ready. Your good friend Bert
Dick’s passing is a loss to the whole world, not just to those of us who were fortunate enough to know and admire him. My condolences to Karen and the rest of the family.
My condolences to the Dienstbier family. Dick was a marvelous colleague within the Psych department at UNL, and always a voice of reason within faculty meetings. I consider myself fortunate to have had many years working in the same department as Dick.
Dick and I were friends for many years, close friends in recent years. I will miss afternoons with Dick with beer and popcorn, watching grand slam tennis matches on his television and offering loud advice and criticism to the players. I will miss friendly bantering with Dick during frequent dinners with family and friends when we discussed everything – world travel, politics, music, social issues, health challenges, photography, personal issues… I will miss his intellect, his wit, and most of all his optimism, wisdom and keen insight and perspective on many issues, large and small. I am very grateful to have been able to count Dick as a friend and will miss him greatly. Deepest condolences to Karen and family and to his many students, colleagues and friends around the world.
Karen,
A Scholar and a Gentleman; that he was.
A Teacher and a Mentor; that he was.
An unpredictably Talented Person and a predictable Friend; that he was.
Curious and Persistent; that he was.
And more, and more.
Peace be with you.
Carol
Karen and Family, I was sad to see the announcement of Dick’s transition in Sunday’s paper. Please know you are close in heart. We send our deepest sympathy to you and all of Dick’s friends and colleagues as well.
Karen – I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
Grade school, high school, a BS in Psych. and an MBA from UNL; of ALL the instructors I’ve ever had, Dr. Dienstbier was one of the very best. I took his Personality Psych., undergrad and grad., in the SEVENTIES and still remember him well. Whether in Love Library auditorium with loads of students or in a regular classroom, his delivery was SO GOOD! He was a good man and an excellent educator. I am so fortunate to have had the experience of being his student.
Karen, my deepest condolences to you and your family. I met Dick in two OLLI classes he taught. They were two of the most meaningful classes I’ve take over the years.
I spent an evening at the Dienstbier house last year and Dick was a charming man. I regret not having been able to talk to to him again. My sincere condolences.
Sending my condolences to you and your family Karen.
I did not know Dick well but coordinated several times with Karen on art. My deepest sympathies to Karen and family. As some people know, I believe strongly in reincarnation so am confident we will meet again when I pass to the other side.
Dick was a wonderfully unique individual and a most gracious Mentor. I was fortunate to have his guidance, starting with navigating graduate school as Dick went above and beyond. He helped coordinate with other UNL colleges and with the Lincoln medical community to facilitate and chair my “outside the norm” multidisciplinary research. I’m sure this added much to his workload, but he never complained, rather deflected when given praise and gratitude. I had the great privilege of assistant teaching under him in his large psychology classes and learned so much from him about the nuances of academia. Dick led by example, provided guidance on how to live a balanced life, not focused solely on outside measures of success, and guided by strong ethical principles.
Dick was very good at maintaining long-lasting, valued friendships. He shared his time with three of his former graduate students, Lisa, Roger, and me. We had worked with him on his varied and groundbreaking research projects. I so enjoyed our routine luncheons devouring pho (as messy as necessary), while he brought out the best in each of us. He was like a personalized search engine, but with well-researched answers on the spot about health, the brain, historical details (especially World War II), and current affairs. He was a very popular Ollie instructor, and his classes filled up on the opening day. He seemed to modestly enjoy that bit of rock star status, validating an appreciation of his teaching style.
Reflecting on all these moments, I realize how fortunate I was to cross paths with someone who inspired so much personal and intellectual growth. Dick’s generosity with his time and spirit, his witty humor, his gentle encouragement, and his ever-curious mind left a lasting impression on me and will be greatly missed. His legacy lives on, not only in the knowledge he imparted, but in the countless lives he touched through his kindness and unwavering support. Though he is no longer walking upon this earth, the lessons he taught and the warmth he shared will continue to guide and uplift those who had the privilege of knowing him.
My deepest condolences to Karen, and to his family, appreciating the struggle they must endure at the loss of such an incredible spouse, father, and grandfather. Hopefully, these slivers of memories can bring some measure of comfort.
Rest in peace, dear friend,
Shelley
Dear Karen, I am so sorry to learn of Dick’s passing. I’ll always remember his kindness. My heart is with you and your family.
Karen, thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Dick is in our hearts forever 💝
All our love,
Gus, Roxana, and Clare 💕
Karen, I am so very sorry for your loss. You both had a lot of good years together and shared many adventures so I know this is a horrible loss for you.
Karen, I am so very sorry for your loss. You and Dick had a lot of years together and share many adventures so I know you miss him terribly already.
I was very sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. He was one of my favorite professors when I was an undergraduate and as a graduate student at Nebraska in the 1970’s. Always a gentleman and a scholar.
My condolences on your loss. Dick was such a wonderful graduate school professor and an amazing human being. May his memory be a blessing.
We are very sorry for your loss, Karen and family. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Dick was a kind and considerate man who took an interest in the people around him. Sending love, Penny and Rick Urwiler
Dr. Dienstbier was my first professor I had in Psychology at UNL and I was fortunate to be a part of a research group on a project. My experience in this project and his classes led to a change in my course of studies to major in Psychology. I was also fortunate to run into Dr. Dientsbier at the Unitarian Church several years after college and meet Karen. My heart goes out to your family with the loss of such a kind and caring person!
We feel so fortunate to have known Dick. He was always interested in and brought his insight to whatever subject was brought up. He was a wonderful host, conversationalist, teacher and speaker. We loved the sound of his voice.
We will always remember the international UU dinners that you prepared followed by a travel/photo show of your latest adventures, narrated by him.
We are sad for this tremendous loss. We feel the joy he had for family, people, education, travel, orchids, art and many other subjects will keep his memory close to countless hearts. Our condolences to you, Karen, and your family.
Dear Karen,
Some of our fondest Lincoln memories are from the warmth you showed me, Jong-Im, and Markus as new UCL members. I had a limited chance to meet Dick, but it is obvious you two made a wonderful story together over the decades! Our warmest thoughts go out to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Greg, Jong-Im, and Markus
Karen, I was so very sorry to hear of Dick’s death. I enjoyed his participation in Olli and Meditation. A very interesting man – seeking information and knowledge.
I wish you and your family well as you cope with this loss.
Scott,
My sympathies for your father’s passing. Its been a long time my friend, all the best to you.
Mike
Hello Karen.
I am David Levine’s daughter and just wanted to express my sadness on hearing about Dick’s death; I remember him.
My father spoke often about Dick and I know dad held him in high esteem.
Dear Karen, sons Dana & Scott, daughters in law Christy & Heather, Grand Daughters Lexi & Katrina and extended family & friends, it is with much sadness and a heavy heart to learn of the passing of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. Tony and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to you at this sad time. Words are difficult to find to express the deep sorrow you are feeling. We hope you take comfort in knowing it was such a privilege to have known Dick when we met in Adelaide twenty years ago. Over the years, Karen, you allowed us to share your amazing life, with letters, Christmas news, ‘phone calls, photo’s of the family and the many trips you did together. Dick will be remembered in may aspects, his academic and professional life, his generosity and kindness to all he met and his great sense of humour. Now resting peacefully, Tony and Fiona Bishop
To Karen and Family,
We were so very sorry to hear about Dick’s death. We both admired Dick’s friendliest, intelligence, willingness to undertake home improvement projects and his values. He was an incredible person who touched so many lives with his wisdom and energy. Karen, we wish we could give you a hug and be with you at this sad time. When people are very ill, I visualize their death as setting them free. Know that your friends in California send their condolences and love.
Barbara and Terry Gutkin
We are so sorry to learn of Dick’s passing. What a kind soul and a loss for all. I enjoyed conversations with him and appreciated his insights and wise counsel. May memories soothe, Karen, and bring you joy.
Karen, Thinking of you. Sending condolences. I heard the sad news about Dick from Barb Gutkin. Ami always had good things to say about Dr Dienstbier and had great admiration and respect for him.