Robert D. Hewell ’73

Rob died Nov. 2, 2024, of complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born in 1951 in Santa Barbara, Calif., but his father’s career in the Navy took the family to many places, including Japan and Hawaii. Eventually they settled in Lincoln, Neb., where Rob attended Southeast High School.

At Princeton, Rob was a DJ and a news director for WPRB, a gorilla in the Triangle Show, and dined independently. He graduated with a degree in architecture and urban planning. He later received an executive MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

After Princeton, Rob took a position at the General Services Administration, where he worked for 42 years. He was influential in setting up the GSA Mid-Atlantic Region headquarters. A highlight of his career was serving as the GSA regional commissioner for the Public Buildings Service.

Rob was a true Philadelphian. He and his wife renovated two homes there. His bocce team won a citywide championship, and he frequented the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Rob had wide-ranging interests. He enjoyed running, biking, billiards, and windsurfing and played cutthroat Scrabble. He loved travel, especially when it involved food or wine. But perhaps his greatest talent was for friendship.

Rob is survived by his wife, Debra J. Bicker; and their extended family. The class extends its condolences on their loss.