Dr. Robert Louis Milam, 89, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Charter Senior Living in Hopkinsville.
Graveside services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2026 at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West with Rev. Joe Bufford officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour at Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A native of Shepherdsville, Kentucky he was born on June 14, 1936 the son of the late Bernie Milam and Bertha Wise Milam. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Poindexter Milam and his son, Dr. Michael Robert Milam.
He is survived by his son, Charles (Lindsay), and their son Thomas; his daughter-in-law Dr. Ashley Milam and her sons Jack and Ben.
He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Kiwanis club and was a United States Army veteran.
After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D. in Economics from North Carolina State University, Robert began his career at Westminster College, teaching economics and business. He later joined the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Jefferson University), serving as a department chair.
In 1978, Robert became Dean of the College of Business and Public Administration at Governors State University in Illinois, serving until 1984. He then moved to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where he served as Dean of the UW Oshkosh School of Business from 1984 to 1995.
From 1995 to 2001, Robert was Provost and Vice Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, including a year as Acting Chancellor. After retiring to his family farm in Kentucky, he returned to academia as Chief Academic Officer at Hopkinsville Community College from 2002 to 2005, before retiring for good.
Known for his integrity, strategic vision, and dedication to academic excellence, Robert left a lasting impact on every institution he served, truly “…one worthy of remembrance.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Pennyroyal Hospice, 220 Burley Avenue, Hopkinsville KY 42240.