Tarpy graduated from Amherst College in 1963, and then took a master's degree at the College of William and Mary before undertaking his PhD at Princeton University, under the supervision of Byron Campbell.see footnote to Tarpy, R. M. (1969). Reinforcement difference limen (rdl) for delay in shock escape. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 79, 116-121. doi:10.1037/h0026988 He was an assistant and an associate professor at Williams College,Williams College faculty list 1972-73 http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/951429/17344316/1332867091493/Williams+Faculty+1971-72.pdf?token=X9Ma22CtkDQUR1v%2BlTWsh5uZm0Y%3D before moving to Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained as a professor of Psychology until his retirement in 2001. He also held visiting positions at Durham University, the University of Oxford and the University of Exetersee University of Exeter Calendar, 1981-82 in the UK.
