Robert S. Edsall Jr. ’63

Bob died peacefully May 10, 2019, in Durango, Colo., from progressive supranuclear palsy. A longtime resident of Florida, he ran a large citrus operation there.

Peers praised him as a meticulous grower, using scientific methods to manage nutrients in the soils of Indian River, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties, where citrus products are prized for sweetness and juiciness. Bob’s father first planted in 1940, and Edsall Groves grew to 1,800 acres before cutting back to its current 800. In 1990 Bob opened Sun Harvest Citrus, the first packinghouse in Fort Myers, where customers could enjoy fresh-squeezed drinks. He retired 20 years ago, and his nephew runs the company today.

Bob’s down-to-earth manner and generosity led him to mentor countless young people from overseas, helping some receive agricultural education. In his off-hours he loved camping, fishing, hiking, and anything else outdoors. He went to Princeton from Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, majored in Romance languages, spent summers in Spain and Mexico, and ate at Campus Club. Upon graduation he spent four years as a Navy navigator.

Bob is survived by his wife, Eleni; sons David, Stephen, and Drew Edsall; stepdaughter Maria DeLoach-Webb; stepsons Chris and Clayton DeLoach; three grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and nephew David McKenzie.