William “Bill” G. LeFurgy P’78
Professor of Psychology Emeritus William “Bill” G. LeFurgy P’78, whose vision and mentorship strengthened the psychology program and childhood education at Skidmore, died peacefully on July 24, 2025. He was 94.
Bill joined Skidmore in 1970, as a professor and chair of the Department of Psychology, and retired in 1992. Over the course of those two decades, he contributed to the growth of the department, expanding the scope and depth of the psychology major and mentoring younger faculty members.
“When I arrived at Skidmore in 1980, I was immediately impressed by the breadth and depth of Bill’s academic background in psychophysiology, cognition, and development, as well as his amazing technical skills in the early days of connecting physiograph machines to computers,” said Sheldon Solomon, professor of psychology. “Bill was extraordinarily generous and encouraging in his interactions with me as a young professor; his technical assistance enabled me to begin my research program at the College.”
In addition to his departmental leadership, Bill was deeply involved in advancing early childhood education on campus. As chair, he obtained grants to organize the Center for Child Study (today’s Early Childhood Center). His vision and dedication to the welfare of children also contributed to the New Family Project, which offered developmental services for Saratoga County preschool children.
Born on Dec. 15, 1930, in New Rochelle, New York, Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1952 and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. He attended the University of Oklahoma on the G.I. Bill and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Cornell University.
After retiring from Skidmore, Bill moved with his family to West Lafayette, Indiana, and later to Brunswick, Maine.
Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen Diamond; his children, William (Lisa Weber), Rhonda Gleeson ’78 (Jeff), Jennifer (Rick Haughey), Amy (Sydney Miller), and Kate (Winston Blake Jr.); his grandchildren; and his great-grandchildren.