Brent Dean Robbins

Dr. Brent Dean Robbins, PhD, aged 55 of Dormont, Pennsylvania, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026. Brent was born August 18, 1970, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the only child of John “Jack” Robert Robbins, who preceded him in death, and Diana “Dee Dee” Lee Julian Lewis. He is also survived by his step-mother, Kelli Morgavo Robbins, and step-father, Dennis Lewis.

Brent attended Saint Pius X School and Saint Bernard School before attending and graduating from Seton LaSalle High School in 1988. He attended Point Park University as a film major before moving to Saint Louis, Missouri, to attend Webster University. He earned two consecutive Bachelor of Arts degrees with honors from Webster University in Media Communications with a minor in Literature and Language, and then Psychology. 

It was while he was living and working in Saint Louis that he met his beloved wife of 30 years, April Heather (Hawley) Robbins. They met in March of 1994 through a mutual co-worker who served as a matchmaker and immediately fell in love. In 1995, they moved to Dormont so that Brent could begin graduate school at Duquesne University, where he went on to earn, with honors, both his MA and then PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2003. Brent and April were married in May of 1996 at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Mount Lebanon, PA. After April completed RCIA, entering into the Roman Catholic Church, they were married again in the Catholic faith in August of 1999 at Fontenay Chapel of Saint Bernard Church in Mount Lebanon.

Together, Brent and April had 2 adored sons, Dean Julian Robbins, born in 2003, and Dominic John Francis Robbins, born in 2010, whom they primarily homeschooled. Dean and his beloved wife, Isabel Katharine Heard, have one son- Brent’s cherished grandson, Julian Augustine Robbins, born in January of 2026. Dean and Dominic are the third generation of the Robbins family to have resided in their Dormont home, first purchased by Brent’s parents in 1976. Brent also leaves behind his sweet “girly girl” dog, Emmi.

After graduating from Duquesne University, Brent and April moved to Meadville, PA, where Brent was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Allegheny College for 2 years, and Dean was born. The family then moved to Buffalo, NY, where Brent was an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Daemen College for 4 years. In 2008, Brent and his family returned to Dormont, and Brent began working at Point Park University.

Brent arrived at Point Park envisioning a PsyD graduate program based in clinical and community psychology and worked tirelessly to complete this mission. In 2023, the completed graduate program received full accreditation status for 10 years (the maximum years given) from the American Psychological Association. At the time of his death, he was a tenured Professor of Psychology and Program Director of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology. Brent served the American Psychological Association and their divisions in multiple capacities over the years, most notably previously serving as President of Division 32 (Humanistic Psychology) and President of Division 24 (Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology) at the time of his death. In 2021, Brent was honored to be conferred with the title of Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

Brent authored and co-authored a long list of academic journal articles over the course of his career. He authored, co-authored, and edited/co-edited numerous books, including his book, The Medicalized Body And Anesthetic Culture: The Cadaver, The Memorial Body, And The Recovery Of Lived Experience published in 2018.

Brent was a mentor to many, many undergraduate and graduate students throughout his career. Brent was a Faculty Fellow at the Beatrice Institute in Pittsburgh and a member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists. He was a CCD teacher at both Our Lady of Grace and Saint Bernard Catholic Churches for many years. More than his many academic and career achievements, Brent will be known for his faithful love and commitment to sacred marriage, his inexhaustible love for his sons, the loving gift of his grandson brought into being through his prayers of petition, his voracious reading, and his lifelong, enthusiastic interest in movies and music.

Family and friends are welcome Thursday, May 7, from 2-4 & 6-8 and Friday, May 8th from 2-4 & 6-8 at WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 15220 (412-563-2800). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 11:30 AM at Saint Bernard Roman Catholic Church, 311 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon, PA 15216. Burial will follow in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Brent’s name should be directed to the following organizations:

Word On Fire Catholic Ministries https://www.wordonfire.org/donate/ 

Beatrice Institute https://beatriceinstitute.org/support 

Mad In America https://www.madinamerica.com/donate/