He prepared at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he was active in debating. At Princeton, he majored in classics and the Special Program in the Humanities. He joined Dial Lodge, was a member of the freshman and varsity Debate Panels, and was active in the St. Paul’s Society. He earned a law degree at Harvard in 1957, and met Gabriele von Buelow during a Fulbright fellowship in Cologne, Germany. They married in 1959.
Rob’s career began in corporate law at Davis Polk and went on to Bankers Trust in New York, private practice in Setauket on Long Island, and finally as a senior attorney with Suffolk County. In the Three Village area of Long Island, N.Y., he served on the school board, as a Democratic committeeman, and as a vestryman and lay minister at Episcopal churches. The Three Village Times named him “Person of the Year” in 1985.
Rob was passionate about his family, ancient Greek literature, social justice, the environment, Long Island wineries, good food, travel, and his collection of classical recordings. He moved to New Jersey to be closer to family in the last year of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gabriele; sons Michael and John ’84; daughter Barbara; two granddaughters; one grandson; his brothers; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Elizabeth ’88.