John W Somervill, Ph.D.

Father, Friend, Colleague, Mentor. Remembered for his Generosity, humor, and Loyalty to friends John Somervill was born in Memphis, Tennessee. His education included a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rhodes College (Memphis, Tennessee); a Master’s degree in psychology from the University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi); a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, Arkansas); and a clinical internship in the Department of Psychiatry at the Ohio State University Health Center. He was a professor at Southern University (Carbondale, Illinois) from 1969 - 1975. John devoted nearly 40 years to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls where he taught psychology from 1975 - 2013 and served as the Dean of the Graduate College from 1989 - 2004. John understood that education was the gateway to success and personal advancement, and he was committed to helping others regardless of race or ethnicity. While Dean of the UNI Graduate College, he presided over the development of new interdisciplinary master's programs in Public Policy, Women's Studies, and Environmental Science. He emphasized the development of recruitment strategies which led to the highest increase in graduate enrollment in the history of the university at that time. Much of his work focused on recruiting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), most notably from Southern University of New Orleans. John supervised numerous honors and Master’s theses and many of his students have gone on to successful careers in psychology and other disciplines. Even in retirement, John continued to be a friend, mentor, and voice of encouragement. John and his wife Darcy moved to Orange Beach, Alabama to live out their retirement. John resided in Orange Beach, Alabama from 2013 - 2020 and moved to Inman, South Carolina in his final years to be closer to family. John was an expert gardener and cook. He enjoyed fishing, entertaining, varied creative endeavors, and adoring his pets. He is remembered for his friendliness, thoughtfulness, and genuine love for those around him. He had a quick wit and a (sometimes corny) sense of humor that lifted everyone’s spirits and kept us all laughing. John was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Darcy Ann Clausen. John is survived by his brother, Charles E. Somervill of Granbury, TX; sister, Laura Curb of Farmerville, LA; son, Charles William Somervill of Asheville, NC (and his wife Morgana Somervill); daughter, Laura Elizabeth Ocker of Portland, OR (and her husband Griff Ocker); grandchildren, Jenica Ocker, Rylee Somervill, Sheadon Ocker; nieces, Debra Romanow, Suzy Brown; other relatives and friends. Memorial service will be held Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 11:00 am in the chapel at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 am and continue until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Fairhope. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to John’s favorite charities: Southern Poverty Law Center at www.splcenter.org; The Humane Society at www.humanesociety.org; St. Joseph’s Indian School at www.stjo.org. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD. FAIRHOPE AL. 36532 (251) 990-7775