Robert Gish Dodds ’45

Bob died Aug. 25, 2020, in Vancouver, Wash. 

Born in Evanston, Ill., he attended New Trier High School, where he was president of his senior class. While at Princeton he was a member of Dial Lodge and was active in the Student Christian Association, serving as social action chairman. 

Bob left Princeton for wartime service as an ambulance driver assigned to British forces in the mountains of Myanmar, earning the British Empire Medal and Burma Star. After completing his degree at Princeton, Bob taught at a boys prep school associated with the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. There he found both a career and his wife of 69 years, fellow teacher Margaret Jean Dorsett, whom he married before returning to the U.S. in 1951. 

In the late 1950s, Bob left his New York City position as assistant director of the Near East College Association to resume teaching. After earning a master’s degree at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., he taught U.S. history and contemporary issues and coached debate teams at high schools in North Haven and Portland, Conn. In retirement he and Jean enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family, moving to the Pacific Northwest in 1999.

Bob was known for his kindness, wit, love of children and music, and spirit of service. He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs. He is survived by his wife, Jean; sons Bruce and Ian; daughter Christina; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.