A memorial service celebrating Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and longtime Arlington resident Robert B. “Bob” McKersie’s life will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Mass. Ave., Arlington. A reception will follow the service.
Professor McKersie, a distinguished scholar, educator, author, mentor, and one of the most influential voices in industrial and labor relations, died at his home on July 11, 2026, at the age of 96. He died from congestive heart failure. The complete obituary on YourArlington can be found here.
From 1971 to 1979, he served as dean of the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) at Cornell University. During his tenure, he recruited and mentored a new generation of faculty whose rigorous social science approach helped redefine the study of industrial and labor relations and continues to shape the ILR School today.
In 1980, Professor McKersie joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he became one of the Sloan School of Management’s most respected professors. He later served as deputy dean of the Sloan School from 1991 to 1994, held the Society of Sloan Fellows Professorship, and, upon his retirement, was named professor emeritus.
In retirement, Professor McKersie remained engaged in civic life and focused on his wife, Nancy Crosier McKersie, especially as she struggled in her final years with Lewy Body Dementia. (A favorite family story: “Dad met Mom when he cut in on a friend to dance with her at a Harvard-Radcliffe social.”) An active resident of Arlington, he followed local affairs with the thoughtful attention that characterized his professional career. He found great meaning at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, enjoying worship, fellowship, and opportunities to serve his community. Gardening, baking, cooking – and sharing his creations with neighbors and family – became a signature. He turned his writing skills to self-publishing memoirs about historic aspects of family members. International and domestic travel also was a priority – usually to see former students and colleagues. Professor McKersie brought warmth and humility to every interaction, always seeking to listen and learn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Robert and Nancy McKersie Labor Day Lecture at the Cornell ILR School. Please designate the named fund at the webpage. Professor McKersie’s family can be reached at his home address, 197 Jason St., Arlington, MA 02476.
This listing was published on Aug. 3, 2026.
