Dr. Paul J. Locher

Dr. Paul J. Locher, 83 of Moravian Village in Bethlehem, passed away peacefully August 20, 2024. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Paul and Teresa Locher. Paul graduated from Central Catholic High School. In his early years he worked at his parents’ store, Locher’s Market, on Penn and Liberty St. in Allentown. Paul holds Degrees from Kutztown University, University of Vienna and his Doctorate from Temple University. He was a Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Montclair University where he taught for 34 years. He has held positions as Visiting Scholar at Eindhoven University of Technology, Delft University of Technology, and the University of Leuven and as a consultant for many years at the French National Center for Scientific Research, Paris. His principal research interests focus on the sensory, perceptual, and cognitive processes that underlie one’s aesthetic experience with the visual arts. Paul published over 200 journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He is past President and was a Fellow of both the American Psychological Association Division 10 and the International Association of Empirical Aesthetics (IAEA). He received the 1999 Distinguished Research Award from the American and New Jersey Psychological Associations for Outstanding Research in Psychology and the 2003 Gustav Theodor Fechner Award from IAEA for his life-time contribution to the field of empirical aesthetics. Paul was the Editor of the journal Empirical Studies of the Arts and was on the Editorial Boards of many journals. Paul traveled extensively both professionally and personally throughout the world, however, his love for Paris kept him going back for over 55 years. He was an avid ice skater, loved the arts and theater, great food, champagne and spending time with his family and friends. Our ‘Uncle Paul’, as he was commonly known to many, will be greatly missed. Survivors: Brother: John C. Locher and his wife Jeri of Macungie, Nieces: Vanessa Fry (Bill) of Macungie, Jill Nevenglosky (Pete) of Allentown, Great Nephew: Cole Nevenglosky of Allentown, and Cousin: Marie Sterlein of Bethlehem. Services: Private.