Robert Marler died Sept. 1, 2006, from congestive heart failure at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., Bob graduated from Clayton (Mo.) High School. At Princeton he majored in chemical engineering and enjoyed many campus activities. After graduation, he worked on offshore oil rigs for Shell Oil before being drafted into the Army in 1955. He served in counterintelligence and returned to Shell after his tour of duty.

Bob then earned a master's in English literature in 1961 and a doctorate in American literature in 1970 from George Washington University. He started his career at Temple University in 1966. Over the next 28 years, he became professor of literature, head of the English department and international studies program, founder of the American Studies program at Temple Japan, associate provost and vice president for continuing education. He won the Norman Foerster Prize for the best article in American literature in 1974.

After suffering a heart attack, he retired in 1994 to Benton, Pa., where he became active in community affairs, taught fly fishing and wrote Fishing the Delaware Valley, which was published by Temple University Press.

The class extends its sympathy to his wife, Janet; daughters Mary Beth and Pamela; son Timothy; and two grandchildren.