Bob Flather died Jan. 27, 2013, near his home in Goleta, Calif.

Bob was born May 17, 1925. He came to Princeton from Exeter in 1943 and roomed with Bolling Robertson and Fletch Layton. In 1945 he joined the Marines and fought in Okinawa. He returned in 1946 and completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in June 1949. He later got a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford.

After a successful time with Hughes Aviation, Bob began a 40-year career with the National Park Service, much of it as a ranger in backcountry management in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. He was passionate about curbing poaching in the park, and was a great mentor to many rangers. In 2000 he continued as a cultural resource archives researcher for the park. His memory of dates and locations was invaluable to the staff and researchers. As a result of his long service, he was nominated to receive the Park Service’s Harry Yount award in 2008. Each winter he would return to Santa Barbara to surf and enjoy his collection of big-band swing music and early jazz.

Bob leaves behind a brother, Joseph; and nephews Curtis, Stephen, David, and Daniel, to whom the class extends sympathy.

Undergraduate Class of 1949