Dr. Julian Ingersoll Taber was born in Detroit, Mich. and attended grade school in Atlantic City, N.J.

He graduated from high school in Mount Lebanon, Penn., and after service in the Army attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1955. He was a member of two honorary societies.

He completed work for a master of science degree (1957) and a doctorate’s degree (1961), all in psychology while holding various teaching and research positions at the University of Pittsburgh.

In 1961 he moved to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he became a tenured associate professor of psychology. In 1969-70, he was professor of psychology in the Pennsylvania State College system, and in 1970-71, he was a career research specialist for the state of California.

From 1971 to 1978, Taber coordinated a psychiatric inpatient program at the Brecksville Veterans Administration Hospital in Brecksville, Ohio. From 1978 to 1985, he coordinated the gambling treatment program started by Dr. Robert Custer at Brecksville. From 1985 to 1990, he was chief of the addictive disorders treatment program at the Reno, Nev. V.A. Hospital. He finished his career at the V.A. Domiciliary in White City, Ore., where he served on the alcohol and drug unit.

He then lived in Oregon and, for five years, in Las Vegas, Nev. where he joyfully flew fixed-wing and ultra-light aircraft.

For the past eight years he lived on south Whidbey Island where he wrote, fished for salmon, played Irish ditties on the penny whistle, and vastly enjoyed avoiding any and all responsibility in his retirement.

In his early scientific and professional work, Taber co-authored one book, several book chapters and many studies in psychological journals and collections.

In the mid 1980s, he co-authored the first two follow-up studies on the effectiveness of professional treatment for problem gambling, studies based on his work at the Brecksville Division of the Cleveland V.A. Medical Center in the program started by Dr. Custer.

In 1986, the National Council on Problem Gambling awarded him the Herman Goldman Award for his outstanding clinical skills with problem gamblers. The award also acknowledged his successful treatment methods for problem gambling documented in several of his published studies.

In addition, he served on the first editorial board of the Journal of Gambling Studies, as well as having sat on the board of directors of the National Council during the 1980s.

In 2005, the National Council on Problem Gambling honored him with the Dr. Robert L. Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service.

Continuing his devotion to writing during his retirement years, he wrote in a variety of genres. He produced scientific and professional works in psychological studies, a multitude of articles and opinion columns, short stories in fiction and autobiography, plays and poetry in many classical styles. His poetry chapbook, “Poems for the Rest of Us,” is a collection of funny and poignant poems in a variety of classical styles. His book, “In the Shadow of Chance,” is a text for problem gamblers that was a compilation of his treatment and clinical experiences; the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling continues to use Taber’s book as a training manual for clinicians working with compulsive gamblers. During his time working with problem gamblers, he developed a genuine respect for those he treated. “The real teachers,” he said, “are the patients.”

In late 2008, Taber published his seminal work, “Addictions Anonymous,” in which he advocates for a global, non-religious, inclusive secular 12-step program for the addictive response, regardless of the substance or behavior problem involved. The book is primarily geared for addicts in the early stages of recovery, but, as with “In the Shadow of Chance,” it is also extremely useful for professional caregivers and significant others in the addict’s life. The book is informed by his entire lifetime experience as a researcher and therapist.

Having moved 22 times in his life, on May 29 Julian boarded a plane bound for Maine where he intended to live with his daughter and had just purchased a home. However, the strength of his desire could not be met by the reality of his failing heart. He died while in flight on May 30, 2009.

Dr. Julian I. Taber is survived by his brother James Taber (Portland, Ore.). In addition to his works of writing, Julian leaves to the world his creative legacy of three children: Donald B. Taber (Newbury Park, Calif.), Geoffrey A. Taber (Columbus, Ohio) and Rachel K. Taber-Hamilton (Freeland and Windsor, Manie). LaVene Patricia Taber, Julian’s beloved wife of 32 years, (1956) preceded him in 1988. He never remarried.