To the Editor:
On behalf of myself and the Psychology Department at Dartmouth College, I would like to recognize the passing of a fine friend and dear colleague, Bob Eastman. Bob passed away on Thursday, April 17, while doing his job in Gerry Hall.
Bob was a true fixture in Gerry Hall. Even when I'd come in to teach an early morning class in the worst winter weather, Bob would already have been in the building, occasionally made a pot of departmental coffee, and started sweeping the floors and walkways. He was my inspiration on many a morning when I contemplated not coming in.
More than just being here to do his job, Bob might best be known for his friendly demeanor and the way he treated those around him. I cannot recall a time when he didn't greet me with a big smile and a friendly, "How's John this morning?" I knew he liked to hunt and fish in his native New Hampshire, but Bob and I shared a great common love--baseball. He loved his Red Sox and I my Orioles, but we shared many great conversations and kept each other up to date on what our teams were doing. Perhaps my sole source of comfort in contemplating his loss was that our last conversation was about what we both enjoyed discussing: Tim Wakefield's knuckleball, what the Patriots needed in the draft and the Yankees' losing streak.
I also knew of Bob's love for his family, as he knew of mine, but mostly I knew him as someone I looked forward to seeing each day. He was a very good friend and I shall miss him greatly. I will think of him often as the grass gets greener, the pennant race shapes up, and the fish start biting. Although many of you did not know Bob personally, I hope his passing reminds you that "work" at a college means more than studying, teaching or research. The business of the College is also the sweeping of floors, emptying the trash, cooking of meals, typing of reports, the cutting of grass and all those unseen things that keep Dartmouth going from one day to the next. I also hope Bob's passing reminds you that the people that perform these necessary functions have families, interests and joys beyond the roles we may see them perform on campus. They deserve our thanks and respect.
On behalf of my colleagues in Gerry Hall, I wish to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bob Eastman. We will all miss him very much.
