Former University of Iowa College of Education faculty member David F. Lohman passed away March 5, 2025, at the age of 76.
Lohman was faculty in the Department of Educational Psychology and served as chair of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations from 1993 to 1997. During his time at Iowa, he received numerous awards, including a Fulbright Fellowship, the Iowa Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, and the Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Association for Gifted Children. He was also a member of the Iowa Academy of Education.
“David had a long and distinguished career, and he made substantial contributions to our college and the field of educational psychology more broadly. Through multiple roles spanning several years, he provided exceptional mentorship, leadership, and guidance to the UI community, and he did so with vigor and compassion. We will deeply miss our friend and colleague,” says College of Education Dean Dan Clay.
Lohman’s academic interests varied over the years. Early research applied theories and methods of cognitive psychology to ability and achievement constructs, particularly the ability to use visual-spatial mental models in problem solving. Subsequent research focused on the more general construct of academic intelligence, particularly its measurement and the use of ability profiles in adapting instruction to the needs of learners. He was initially co-author and then became senior author of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), where most of his professional focus was directed until he retired in 2013.
“David Lohman was a first-class person and a major scholar in intelligence research. His leadership on the CogAT put him in the front of his field. Intelligence research is an area that can generate strong differences of opinion and a clash of values. David was always courageous in articulating his thoughts, no matter the audience,” says College of Education Dean Emeritus and former Belin-Blank Center Director Nicholas Colangelo. “With his subtle humor and easy smile, he always treated faculty and students with care and respect. Whenever I saw David for either a brief hello or a discussion, my day became better.”
Lohman was much more than a world-renowned scholar. He was a generous and caring person who was loved deeply by those who knew him, especially his family.
As conveyed in his obituary, “Though his accomplishments were vast and varied, the greatest source of pride in Dave’s life came from his deep and strong relationships with his daughters and his wife. Dave was a present, generous man who cared for his family in countless ways big and small. He showed his love through building furniture, prioritizing education, saying yes to adventures, repairing broken items, baking pies, sharing poetry, going on long bike rides, playing songs on the guitar, kayaking on Lake Macbride, and giving generously. As his family grew, so did his capacity to love. First with sons-in-law then with the addition of eight grandchildren who knew him as Papa. There was always a grandkid on his shoulders, on his knee, holding his hand, in his arms, or held in his embrace.”
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, April 19, from 1-4 pm at the Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in Iowa City.