By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HYDE PARK - Anthony F. Grasha, an award-winning psychologist and distinguished teaching professor at the University of Cincinnati, died Sundayof cancer at Christ Hospital. The Hyde Park resident was 61.

One of only three UC professors to hold the distinguished teaching title, Dr. Grasha dedicated much of his career to finding and implementing ways to improve the teaching process.

For the past 10 years, he had worked to find ways to reduce medication-dispensing errors using psychological concepts.

In 2002 he launched a Web site that shows how various factors - including job satisfaction - affect the performance of pharmacists and pharmacy personnel.

A native of Braddock, Pa.., he received a bachelor's degree from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. in 1964 and a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 1968.

He was an Army ROTC graduate and served as a lieutenant, then a captain, in the Army from 1968 until 1970. One of those years was in Vietnam.

Upon his return, Dr. Grasha joined the psychology faculty at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to teaching, he was a consultant and workshop leader on ways to integrate principles of psychology into teaching and learning.

From 1982 to 1984 he hosted a nightly radio talk show on WCKY-AM on psychological issues. He also wrote a weekly column for the Cincinnati Post from 1984 to 1990.

He wrote hundreds of articles on teaching and learning issues, as well as a number of textbooks, including Practical Applications of Psychology, Psychology of Adjustment and Competence, Teaching with Style and A Practical Handbook for College Teachers.

Survivors include Carol A. Grasha, his wife of 38 years; two sons, Kevin Grasha of Chicago and Eric Grasha of Atlanta; his mother, Margaret Grasha of Corona, Calif.;a brother, Leonard Grasha of Upland, Calif.; and four sisters, Marge Duffin of San Diego, Connie Cosbey of Palm Desert, Calif., Cindy Schriehans of Victorville, Calif. and Christine White of Corona.

A memorial service is 9 a.m. Saturday at the Neuman Center, St. Monica-St. George Church, 328 W. McMillan Street in Clifton Heights.

Memorials: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1609 Garden St., Santa Barbara, California 93101.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com