Dr. Bruce G. Klonsky

Bruce was the eldest son of Sam and Gertrude (Trudy) Klonsky of the Bronx, N.Y. They raised Bruce only a few elevated train stops from Yankee Stadium, inspiring a lifelong passion (personal and professional) for sports.

After earning several “Good Citizenship” citations in elementary school, surviving middle school gangs, and a then all-boys high school (DeWitt Clinton), Bruce completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at Herbert Lehman College in 1971. He went on to receive a Ph.D. in psychology from Fordham University, where his behavior exemplified the values of that Jesuit university.

He taught at West Virginia University for one year prior to joining the SUNY Fredonia Psychology Department in 1979. He was always very appreciative of his academic and life mentors.

Dr. Klonsky contributed to the SUNY Fredonia campus and community in countless ways.

He was a creative and appreciative teacher and research mentor for many motivated undergraduates. His own research focused on leadership, social and personality development, and multiple aspects of sport psychology. He was an advisor to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society for Psychology students for 25 years. He was a volunteer counselor at the SUNY Fredonia counseling center for two years. He was also awarded several grants from the Carnahan Jackson Humanities Fund for campus-community projects that honored those who had experienced serious adversities like family violence and sexual abuse, military stress, and physical- and mental-health challenges. Dr. Klonsky was very active in the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, where he achieved both a valued certification as a mental performance consultant and an honored appointment to Fellow Status for his contributions to the field of Sport Psychology.

Dr. Klonsky enjoyed making a positive difference in the lives of others via compassionate guidance and respectful collaboration. His unique combinaton of quiet demeanor, wry sense of humor, positive character, grit, and endurance made him an invaluable resource for his students, his university, and the broader community.

He is survived by his spouse, Sandra; his daughter, Taylor; and his brother, Steven.

A celebration of Bruce Klonsky’s life is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2022, at SUNY Fredonia’s Williams Center from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., providing time to gather, enjoy light refreshments, and share memories that highlight his unique personality and impactful life. If you wish to attend, let us know whether you prefer to do so in-person or virtually by e-mailing your reply to Psychology. Department@fredonia.edu, designating” Bruce Klonsky September Tribute” in the subject line. At that time, please let the Psychology Department know if you would also like to request an opportunity to speak about Dr. Klonsky during the celebration.

A “Bruce Klonsky Psychology Scholarship” endowment fund has been established to provide an annual scholarship for a SUNY Fredonia psychology major who meets scholarship eligibility criteria. Please contact the Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo website cfgb.org should you wish to donate to and/or learn more about the scholarship fund.