Point Park psychology professor who gave a lecture about his own death dies at 55

May 9, 2026 - 05:22

Almost eight months ago, Brent Robbins appeared before a standing-room-only crowd at Point Park University to deliver what is colloquially known as a last lecture. The psychology professor, who had been battling a terminal illness, spoke candidly about his own mortality, his life's work, and the lessons he hoped to leave behind. On Sunday, Robbins died at the age of 55.

Robbins had been a fixture at the Pittsburgh university for nearly two decades, known for his passionate teaching and his research into humanistic psychology. His October 2024 lecture, titled "The Psychology of Death and Dying: A Personal Reflection," drew hundreds of students, faculty, and community members. In it, he discussed the emotional weight of facing his own end, the importance of connection, and the value of living authentically.

Colleagues remembered him as a deeply thoughtful educator who never shied away from difficult topics. "He turned his own diagnosis into a teaching moment for all of us," said one fellow professor. Robbins is survived by his wife and two children. The university plans to establish a scholarship in his name.