Ed.D. Barbara L Tate R.N.

Barbara Louise Tate, R.N., Ed.D., 89, former Dean of the College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island (URI) died peacefully at her home in Peace Dale, RI, on May 26, 2011. Dr. Tate was born in Warwick, NY, the youngest child and second daughter of the late James P. Tate and Caroline Still Tate. She was the wife of the late Benjamin R. Sturges of Saunderstown, RI. She was preceded in death by her sister Florence Tate of Warwick, NY, and brothers James P. Tate, Jr. of Arlington, VA, and John S. Tate of Portsmouth, RI; a niece, Eleanor Cline of Philadelphia, PA, a nephew, John S. Tate, Jr. of Portsmouth, RI, a nephew, Stephen Tate of Warwick, NY; and sister-in-law, Christine S. Tate of Arlington, VA. Dr. Tate is survived by a sister-in-law, Mary Alice Tate of Greer, SC; five nieces and nephews: James P. Tate III of Roanoke, VA, Richard W. Tate of Williamsburg, VA, Martha J. McCormick of Sutton, WV, Judith O. Tate of Portsmouth, RI, and Lawrence O. Tate of Greer, SC; ten grand nieces and nephews: Justine, James, William, Charlotte, Rebecca, Robyn, Margaret, Elizabeth, Allison, and Gareth; six great grand nieces and nephews: Geordie, Alex, Henry, Mathew, Clara Belin, and John Wilson; three step children: Rush Sturges of San Francisco, CA, Dorothy Sturges of Tucson AZ, and Sandy Harsch of Dublin, Ireland; four step grandchildren: Benjamin, Paul, Katherine, and Rebecca; and four step great grandchildren: Jessica, Max, Madison, and Benjamin. Barbara held a special place in her heart for granddaughter Rebecca Scott and Rebecca’s husband Jonathan Scott and their beautiful baby, Benjamin, who always brought a huge smile to Barbara’s face, even during her final days. She was a graduate of Warwick High School, Warwick, NY; Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing, Montclair, NJ in 1942; Elmira College, Elmira, NY in 1945, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts; and Teachers College, Columbia University where she earned a Master of Arts in 1951 and a Doctorate of Education in 1961. Dr. Tate dedicated her long career to the advancement of nursing and nursing education. Before retiring from her position as dean at URI in 1984, she was the director of Research and Studies Service at the National League for Nursing, New York, NY; editor of Nursing Research, American Journal of Nursing Company, New York, NY; research associate for the Division of Nursing at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY; associate director of the School of Nursing, St. Luke’s Hospital, New York, NY; taught nursing at the College of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, the School of Nursing, St. Luke’s Hospital, and the School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD; and was an R.N. at Mountainside Hospital, Montclair, NJ. Dr. Tate was the recipient of two Fulbright Scholarships. The first in 1977, with the International Council of Nurses in Geneva, Switzerland where she wrote “The Nurses Dilemma – Ethical Considerations in Nursing Practice.” The second in 1983, as professor and researcher with the University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway. She also authored and co-authored numerous papers and articles for National League for Nursing, Rhode Island Medical Journal, American Journal of Nursing, International Nursing Review, Nursing Research, and Nursing Outlook; served as project director of a number of studies for National League for Nursing, the Florence Nightingale Foundation, and Columbia University; and as consultant to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau – Delta Upsilon Chapter, Pi Lambda Theta, American Psychological Association, New York Academy of Sciences, American Nurses’ Association, National League for Nursing, and Visiting Nurse Association of Rhode Island. She served on the Board of Directors for Nurses Educational Funds, Inc, including 4 years as president; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Blindness; Board of Trustees for Rhode Island Health Services Research, Inc.; Editorial Review Board for Nursing and Health Care; Executive Committee to New England Council on Higher Education in Nursing; and South County Hospital Board of Directors, including terms as vice president and chair, and as honorary trustee until the time of her death. Barbara also loved to travel, visiting over 35 countries and every continent except Antarctica. She delighted in exploring the diverse cultures of the world and made many friends along the way. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Barbara L. Tate Scholarship in Nursing” c/o URI Foundation, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881 or to South County Hospital, Development Office, 100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI 02879. A memorial reception in Narragansett RI is being planned for June. Private burial will be in Warwick, NY.