He graduated from Greenwich (Conn.) High School, where he was a member of the student council and the varsity swimming and track teams. His father, Robert Jr., was Class of ’32, and his uncle, John Boyd, Class of ’33. Bob majored in Romance languages, was a member of Colonial Club, and roomed at 231 1939 Hall with Mac Maloney, Peter Thon, John Alexander, D.R. Moore, and Mike Turley. Junior year he spent six months at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, in Princeton’s SPEC Program.
Bob got a master’s degree from the University of Florida’s Latin American Studies Program and began a business career. He worked successively for the Wilbur-Ellis Co.; National Can Co. as division director of sales and marketing; the Jim Dandy Co.; and division director of marketing for Campbell Soup Co. He started his own business, RWB Associates, as a manufacturer’s representative, then became director of marketing at CBS Records International. He served as vice president of marketing for Action Industries in Cheswick, Pa., then general manager of its furniture division.
At age 44, Bob reassessed his career goals and quit corporate business to found a small company, Hi-Lite Industries, manufacturing crystal table and floor lamps that became successful selling products to J.C. Penney, Lowe’s home centers, Walmart, and the Air Force & Army Exchange Service. He sold the business in 2008 and retired. He wrote two books reflecting a renewed spiritual and religious sensibility. He also wrote articles for the magazine Ezine over the years.
Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Heather; children Amy, Brook, and Adam; and six grandchildren.