Posted by Steven Perryman on April 26, 2010:

Bob and I met as plebe year roommates and continued as roommates through yearling year. From the beginning he was like a caring, older (and wiser) brother -- full of life, humor, and leadership traits that made him very very special. He and Cathy nurtured a great love affair during all their years together and that, too, was an inspiration for all of us close enough to see them share their lives. In the last 14 years, Bob co-captained the class ski trip, a small section of the class but one that got to see his courteous and patient leadership at an intimate level. Equally on display was his riotous sense of humor, always directed at himself, not at others. Having battled the English department his first plebe year (that battle ending in a draw with Bob turned back to the class of '64), he was always dead-panning about becoming a hive late in life. To see him address a meeting of the ski section during last February's trip with stars glued on his turtleneck collar and with constant references to his newly discovered "hiveness" or "hivety" was to laugh until you could not breathe. His military record will stand by itself, as will his devotion to Cathy, to their daughters, and, while she was still present, to his widowed mother. As many know, he was the captain of our baseball team, and, as catcher, he was immovable covering home plate. In many ways that might be a good description of Bob's life. He knew who he was and what was important, and he used those gifts to protect those closest to him. And he would not be moved. Bob lived a long life, having grown rich with grandchildren and with the love and respect of friends and family. It is now our turn to carry on as he would wish us to do. But that does not keep me from missing him dearly. Be at peace, old friend, as we now try our best to cover home plate for you.

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