Lou L'Abate

The eminent psychologist Dr. Luciano L'Abate passed away on April 8, 2016.

Dr. L'Abate, originally from Brindisi, Italy, came to Georgia State University in Atlanta as a Professor of Psychology in 1965. While at Georgia State, Dr. L'Abate served as Director of the Family Psychology Training Program and the Family Study Center. In 1983, he was awarded the GSU Alumni Distinguished Professorship in the School of Arts and Sciences. He remained on the faculty until he retired in 1990 and was named Professor Emeritus.

Dr. L'Abate led a distinguished career both as a clinical practitioner and researcher in family psychology, credited as a pioneer of relational competence theory. He published more than 55 books and over 300 papers, chapters, and book reviews in professional and scientific journals, and his work has been translated into ten languages. He was named "Family Psychologist of the Year" in 1994 by the Family Psychology Division the American Psychological Association, among numerous other honors.

Dr. L'Abate lectured extensively across North America, Europe and Asia, and held visiting professorships at both American and foreign institutions. During much of this time, he managed to maintain a part-time clinical practice and served in the community in various ways, including as a volunteer with the Diversification Program of DeKalb County Juvenile Court. Prior to his death, he was involved in full-time writing and research and continued to lecture internationally, most recently in Tokyo in August 2013. Dr. L'Abate, known to his friends and close colleagues as "Lu," touched the lives of countless people worldwide throughout his highly distinguished career.

Dr. L'Abate is survived by his wife, Gay Denham L'Abate, daughter Elizabeth L'Abate, son John L'Abate and daughter-in-law Melissa Mitchell L'Abate, and granddaughter Alessandra L'Abate and grandson Ian L'Abate.

A memorial service is set for Saturday, June 4th, at 2:00 at A.S. Turner and Sons Chapel at 2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA 30033. The family will receive visitors a half hour before the service.



Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033