Robert “Bob” Fitzgerald

Robert “Bob” Fitzgerald, life-long learner and part-time avocado grower passed away January 18th at Cottage Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was eighty-six years old, and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lucyanna; his son, Robert, Jr.; his daughter, Susan; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, enlisted at a young age in the Marines and served honorably in WWII. He attended Yale University, where he graduated with a multiple major in Literature, History, Philosophy and the Arts. He subsequently earned a degree in Law from the Yale Law School. He moved west with his young family and worked in the entertainment business.

In 1975 he joined the Board of Directors for the International College, an experimental “school without walls” whose mission was to bring together mature students with established leaders in a wide variety of disciplines, one on one. Notable among the list of distinguished tutors was R. Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller, self-described anticipatory, design scientist, whose influence inspired Bob to rededicate his life to continued learning with a goal of achieving a more sustainable approach to life on this planet. In 1977 he and wife “Lutie” moved to Santa Barbara and soon began construction of an eco-friendly home in the hills high above Summerland.

In 1979 he was asked to join the Board of Directors of the Community Environmental Council, a volunteer organization involved in waste recycling, community gardens, composting, solar energy and other “appropriate technology.” He served as president of that board for 10 years. Paul Relis, a director of the CEC recently acknowledged, “Bob played an instrumental role in the intellectual life of the CEC… fashioning our triad strategy… involving our intern program, policy papers, and seminars, that together had a real impact on waste and recycling policies in California.”

The family asks that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to The Community Environmental Council, 26 W. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, Ca. 93101.