Richard H. McKillip

November 17, 1930 - November 29, 1999

by John Craft

On November 29, Richard (Dick) McKillip died suddenly and unexpectantly in his home. Eight days previously he had undergone a triple bypass operation and had been in excellent spirits at the hospital. He came home feeling fairly well and died without warning a couple of hours later.

I knew Dick for 29 years. In writing this article, I spoke with Bill Gorham, who hired him from the Navy, other friends and associates, such as David Dye, Ilene Gast, Joyce Mattson, Tressie Muldrow, Brian O'Leary, Laurie Eyde, Daniel Corts, members of the staff of Psychological Services, Inc. (PSI), and his wife, Hilda. His many former colleagues spoke of Dick as being a gifted psychologist. He was described as being a wonderful friend and colleague, as being the ideal practitioner-scientist who always insured that the best of science was shown in technical assistance, research and development performed under his supervision.

His former employees described him as being concerned about each employee. He insured that his staff members developed their capabilities to their fullest extent and that they had a variety of work experiences. Dick maintained an open door policy as a supervisor and was willing to discuss anything. He had a lot of mirth, even in grim times of serious litigation on U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) tests and the preparation of the Uniform Guidelines. He was a good listener and had a good attitude toward his employees and work. Dick expected perfection and usually got it. Others remember Dick for his counsel and advice. They also remember him as a great fisherman, as a gardener, and as a father who was always bragging about his wonderful wife and five children. Those who knew him well remember being invited to his home for outstanding meals and good conversation with him and Hilda.

Some of his most notable work at OPM included the hiring of Frank Schmidt and his strong administrative and professional support of Frank's work; the active support for people like Dan Corts, Jay Gandy, Tressie Muldrow, Brian O'Leary, Alice Outerbridge, Marv Trattner, Paul van Rijn, and Hilda Wing in the development and validation of the Professional and Administrative Careers Examination (PACE); his support for computer adaptive testing research of Vern Urry; and his strong support of the Job Element and J-Coefficient work of Ernest Primoff.

Dick was a veteran, having served for four years in the Air Force between his sophomore and junior years in college. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Masters degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. His first professional position was as supervisor of test development for the city of Chicago. After working there for several years, he next worked at the American Dental Association. From 1965 to 1968, he worked for the Office of Civilian Manpower, U.S. Navy, conducting personnel selection and placement research and development, and job satisfaction, morale and attitude surveys. He then came to the Personnel Reseach and Development Center (PRDC) of the U. S. Civil Service Commission. By 1974, he was Chief, Research Division, PRDC . In 1982, his job at OPM was abolished allowing him to take an early retirement. He then headed the Washington Office of PSI from 1982 until 1994 when he retired from that position.

At PSI, I am told he went the extra mile for his clients looking out for them in every professional way possible. While there, Dick developed and validated a series of selection procedures for administrative, technical, and professional jobs that continue to be used in numerous private and public sector organizations across the country.

In 1995, Dick received the Stephen E. Bemis Memorial Award, which is given by the International Personnel Management Association Assessment Council (IPMAAC) to the individual who most nearly emulates the qualities for which Steve Bemis was known - being a scientist, being a practitioner, and being committed to helping fellow practitioners.

During the last days and hours of his life, Dick continued to express his thoughts and personality in the same ways he has done all his life - with style, grace, and never losing his sense of humor or his respect for others.

In sum, Dick was a close friend and colleague, a trusted advisor, and a devoted family man. He was a careful and exacting professional, showing innovation, trustworthiness, and practicality in his work. He was well-liked and he will be missed by all who knew him. (His family requests any donations in his memory be made to the Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah, 220 South Commerce Street, Woodstock, VA 22664.)

John Kraft is the Former Director of the Assessment Services Division, PRDC, OPM.