Robert Earl McPherson was a major figure in designing and implementing leading-edge workforce and education strategies at the national, state, and local level over a career spanning more than five decades. He passed away in the early hours of December 9, 2016 after a protracted battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Big Bob, as he was affectionately known to most of his friends and colleagues, was a central figure in Texas workforce circles and spent much of his career associated with the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources at The University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, as a project director, associate director, and senior advisor and mentor to many colleagues and students alike.
We have created this memorial page to Big Bob and his work. Below you will find links to some of his work over the years as well as many photos. We invite former colleagues, friends, and family to share your thoughts and stories, including what his son Mark has referred to as “Bob-isms” in the comments on this website. And please send any photos you may have as well. (Photos can be sent to chris.king@raymarshallcenter.
Also, Liza Hallman, Bob’s widow, along with Bob’s children Mark McPherson and Kim James, want to invite friends and former colleagues to an open house at her home on Saturday, April 15th from 11am to 3pm. This will be a time for all of us to celebrate Bob’s life and share stories and photos of our time with him.
The Job Training Demonstration Project: The Conceptual Design (1992)
Engaging Employers in Public Workforce Efforts in Texas (1997)
Evaluation Action Plan for the Texas Workforce Development System (1997)
Improving Performance Measures for Texas Workforce Development Boards: Phase One: Summary Report (2002)
3 paper series on a Human Investment System for Texas:
Integrating Human Resource Programs: Recent Experience in Five States (1991)
Profiles of Workforce Development Programs in Texas (1991)
Building an Integrated Workforce Development System for Texas: A Radical Blueprint for the Future (1991, r. 1992)
4 paper series on Human Investment Strategies:
The Local Option: A Stronger Role in Workforce Development (1994)
A Labor Market Approach to Workforce Development (1994)
Building a Local Workforce Development Board: The Key Steps (1994)
Designing a Local Workforce Services Delivery System (1997)
L-R: Chris King, Bob Glover, Ray Marshall, and Bob McPherson; old Center for the Study of Human Resources location, 107 West 27th Street, Austin, TX, 1981
Bob McPherson and Chris King; old Center for the Study of Human Resources location on West 27th St, n.d. (mid-1990s).
Bob McPherson; Tx Assn of Workforce Boards gathering, n.d. (mid-1990s).
Workforce board directors Judy McDonald, Willie Taylor, Mary Ross, Rodney Bradshaw, and others with Bob McPherson and Chris King; Tx Assn of Workforce Boards gathering, n.n. (mid-1990s).
Workforce board directors Mary Ross, Rodney Bradshaw, Mike Temple, and others with Bob McPherson; Tx Assn of Workforce Boards gathering, n.d. (mid-1990s).
The late Chuck Nielson, former Texas Instruments Sr VP for Human Resources, Bob McPherson, and an unknown gentleman; Tx Assn of Workforce Boards reception, n.d. (mid-1990s).
Bob McPherson facilitating a strategic planning session for the Texas Association of Workforce Boards, n.d. (mid-1990s).
Attendees at a Texas Association of Workforce Boards meeting; n.d. (mid-1990s).
L-R: Bob McPherson, Ray Marshall, Liz Hallman, and others (LBJ Prof. David Warner in background left) attending re-dedication of the Center as the Ray Marshall Center; Austin, TX, June 1999.
Bob McPherson, Chris King, and guests attending the rededication of the Center as the Ray Marshall Center; Austin, TX, June 1999.
Chris King & Bob McPherson; Austin, TX, October 2008.
Bob Glover and Bob McPherson; Ray Marshall Center 40th Anniversary Celebration, Austin, TX, October 2010.
I met Bob in the late 1970s, together with Chris King and Vince Geraci in Arnie Packer’s Office—Assistant Secretary for Policy at US DOL—we were focused on CETA job training performance standards. Chris and Bob first introduced me to chicken fried steak at the Broken Spoke Saloon in Austin (and I am still digesting it). Nice memories and wish you all the best.
I’ll always be grateful to Bob for his help in the Gulf Coast. I met him while he worked King/Snohomish but came to appreciate him later in Texas. We enjoyed long days with him, talking our business. The talk would continue through lunch (Bob’s rice and beans (together) and iced tea with honey) and finish late in the day. Mike and I may have tried his patience early but he held on and did some fun and really good stuff. His work in the Texas Med Center was outstanding and, maybe, unmatched. If I had to guess, I think he would have ranked our collective work between the music of Lucinda Williams and a CFS at Threadgills. Pretty good company.
Sad news! I met Bob when I worked for Project QUEST, the San Antonio job training program he designed (commissioned by COPS/Metro Alliance community organization). That was back in the early 90’s. I was in my mid 20’s and trying to figure out the job training world. Bob taught me so much in the brief moments we talked. Besides being a wonderful teacher, he had a way of making people feel special. I bet he made everyone feel that way. It was such an honor to have known him. He was as genuine as they come and he made a big impression on me. I would see him on occasion for the next 20 yrs and each time we met he was the same friendly, genuine, and compassionate friend I first met. And did I mention his sense of humor and his hearty laugh?! May his soul rest in peace. Tony Villanueva (San Antonio, TX)
I was sad to hear of Bob’s passing. I worked for him at the Center for the Study of Human Resources in the late 70’s, early 80’s after graduating from UT Austin in 1978 in Sociology. I remember him well and all of us worked hard and also had a lot of fun as employees at the Center. I was impressed with the work training programs which were the focus of the Center. My work was in a more supportive role at the Center, but I paid attention. I especially paid attention when Bob came collecting for the coffee fund. I remember Bob was very serious about everyone who drank coffee contributing on a monthly basis. Anyone who shirked this duty was subject to Bob’s public shaming (another source of hilarity). I went on to move to Lewisville Texas and attended TWU Occupational Therapy School in Denton, Texas, and graduated with a Master’s Degree. I returned to Austin in 1990. I have worked more than 30 years in my field. Thank you Bob for all your inspiration and well-wishing. Thank you also for your encouragement in my work and leisure pursuits. Bob encouraged me to continue with international folkdancing which I did for more than 20 years. You will be missed by all of your associates, friends, and family members, Bob. Deborah Harris Placek, Austin Texas.