R. Douglas Brackenridge, Ph.D.
Personal Information

Robert Douglas Brackenridge was born August 6, 1932, in Youngstown, Ohio. He is the son of John and Azile Brackenridge (both deceased), Scottish immigrants who came to the United States in the 1920's. He is the father of five children--Douglas, Liz, Julie, Laurel, and Stuart--all of whom are college graduates. (Trinity (2), North Texas University (2) and Tulane.) Eight grandchildren have become an integral part of the family--Jenny, Rachel, Sarah, Jaroyd, Justyn, Cameron, Stephanie, and Kate. After thirty eight years in the Department of Religion at Trinity University, he retired from classroom teaching in May 2000. The university awarded him the title Professor Emeritus. His spouse, Diane Saphire, is Director of Institutional Research and a member of the Department of Mathematics at Trinity University. Two other important family members are Kachina, a Cocker Spaniel, and Barney, a black cat. He also has a sister Ida Giles, who lives in Youngstown, Ohio. She wanted her name on this web page. In addition to academic pursuits, Dr. Brackenridge enjoys sports and recreation. For over twenty-five years he has participated in a Trinity joggers group that meets at noon on MWF to run through Brackenridge Park. He also works out in the weight room and swims about three times a week. Other hobbies are playing the piano, gardening, traveling, and refinishing furniture. On a number of occasions he has led tour groups to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.