The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) mourns the passing of Robert H. Brockhaus, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University, who passed away on September 20, 2024, at 84.
Dr. Brockhaus was a trailblazer in the academic field of entrepreneurship, pioneering entrepreneurship education when it was still an emerging discipline. In 1974, he began teaching entrepreneurship at SLU, making it one of the first universities in the world to offer such a program. In 1987, he founded the Jefferson Smurfit Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, now known as the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship, creating a lasting legacy of entrepreneurship education.
His contributions to ICSB were equally profound. Dr. Brockhaus held key leadership roles in our organization, contributing to growing small business research and entrepreneurship globally. His groundbreaking research on entrepreneurs’ risk-taking behavior, published in the Academy of Management Journal, continues to influence the field, with over 3,600 citations today. His efforts helped shape ICSB’s mission to support and advance entrepreneurship worldwide.
Dr. Brockhaus was a visionary in creating a research-driven approach to entrepreneurship that emphasized innovation, new markets, and entrepreneurs’ vital role in shaping the modern economy. His leadership at ICSB and beyond helped nurture a new generation of entrepreneurial scholars and practitioners, and his impact will be felt for years to come.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, Saint Louis University established the Robert H. Brockhaus Chair in Entrepreneurship in 2019. His work at ICSB and in the broader academic community has left an indelible mark on entrepreneurship.
We at ICSB extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Dr. Brockhaus’ legacy of leadership, dedication, and innovation will continue to inspire us all.
Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy
President & CEO, ICSB
