Robert L. Carpenter, PhD

Robert L. Carpenter, PHD

Robert was the founder of Adult Mental Health Services in the Bell Therapy Programs that began in 1975.

With the deinstitutionalization of the mental health facilities in 1970, Dr. Carpenter developed locally, the Scandinavian principle of normalization, integrating mental health patients into the general community. The program was given national and congressional recognition as being a prototype for all such programs as cited in the Congressional Archives.

His advocacy for human rights began through his mother who worked hard to attain better housing and educational facilities for immigrants in Minnesota

During his first year at Hamline University in the 1949-1950 school year, he accompanied African American students to restaurants to attain full service and integration in St. Paul.

Dr. Carpenter was instrumental in changing the Federal Food Stamp Program to qualify recipients receiving benefits as “family.” He was also an advocate for and instrumental in developing benefits for mental health issues in employment and personnel policies.

Dr. Carpenter was the youngest of six siblings whose parents were Harry Lane Carpenter and birth mother Mable Remington. He was raised by his step-mother, Sarah Lindeman, after his birth mother’s death in 1935.

Preceded in death by siblings Dorothy, Cleron (Ruth), Donald, Kenneth and identical twin brother, William (Eugenie) Carpenter. He was also preceded in death by his nieces, Jean Penner, Nancy Sherman and Susan St. John.

He is survived by his dearest spouse, Robert Adlai Schenker. He is the loving uncle of Ronald, Stephen and Jane Carpenter, Patti Ashley, Cheryl Barsness and Vicki Held. Several grand nieces and nephews also survive him.

Special thanks to Sue and Bill Druck, Alice and David Konkel and Dr. Gregory Matthews, as well as all the staff who provided hospice care for Robert.

Visitation will take place on Friday, January 12, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at noon, at Krause Funeral Home, 7001 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Robert L. Carpenter, PhD, please visit our Tribute Store.