For myself, and I believe for Bob as well, the IDEA of wilderness is itself manifest; but it also provides wonderful metaphors for life – and is this much of a surprise?  Wilderness, in any of its evolutionary forms, was here before humans and given that our species has evolved and adapted to the circumstances of this environment, then we understand it not only forms us, but also forms our interpretataions of - everything.

 

If you have ever walked in the wilderness, and been attentive to the terrain, one can ascertain what has overlapped or intersected your path.  It might be some earth turned over by the snout of a boar, a branch bent by the breadth of a hiker, or the scat of bobcat left on the smooth flat top of a rock.  This is similar to how we have each, in different ways, intersected with Bob (well, maybe not the bobcat scat).  While it’s true that these overlaps have been initially through our professional obligations, my observation has been that they inevitably led to friendship.

 

Why we become friends with Bob is largely due his being an easy, and interesting conversationalist.  This attribute stems largely from Bob’s thoughtful reflections; he is my ‘go to’ guy when I’m thinking about ‘the big picture’ or there are deeper questions to consider.  Part of the enjoyment in speaking with Bob are not only his thoughts, but perhaps even more the care he takes with his answers because he values not only the power of words, but the art of their arrangement.

 

It is this relationship with language that compels Bob to write.  In particular, I was taken by his book – “Talking to Myself” in which a biologist keeps a running conversation in his mind.  It doesn’t take long, however, for the biologist to realize that perhaps this particular conversation is not with himself, but with a larger entity.  Filled with multiple analogies between earth, human, and biological systems the book is thoughtfully provoking.

 

Bob has been a member of the science department since 1982 teaching primarily subjects concerned with the life sciences.  In addition to his academic responsibilities, Bob has been a residential faculty member, cross country coach, Wilderness Prep coach, and senior class advisor.  Oh, he is also ‘dad’ to Penn (07) and Hali (08) and in recent years he’s been carpenter, painter, plumber and electrician on two significant housing projects downtown – his own residence and what has become a gallery for a variety of family crafted work.

 

Bob’s reinvention of the Biology Honors course has been significant and has led to the five different publications, over five years – each one written by every student in every Bio Honors class each of those years.  They are professional and they are peer-proofed.  In the end, kids are learning as much from each other as they are learning from Bob.

 

I have always felt that the primary mission of education is not about the content but rather to teach kids how to teach themselves.  As is said, “Teach a man to fish…”

 

In the context of the subject for which he has so much passion,  Bob has masterfully found a formula that attains this end.  It is what makes him – in my estimation, a master teacher.

 

Bob – you will be missed and my hope is that you don’t find the drive between downtown and the Hills too far to travel.

Greg Miller