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Vivica posted a condolence
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Remembering Rob today. He just popped into my mind, as happens. Like so many people feel, he indeed changed my life. His race car-speed driving, especially in that 1980s red Subaru of his. His war on smoking. His awful dad jokes that he laughed at more than anyone else. How he listened only to classical music with a stubborn shunning of most all other music. I loved and will always love Rob for the amazing person he was and will always remain in my memories.
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Allan Wright posted a condolence
Sunday, July 21, 2019
I met Rob in 1995 when he was the guide on a climbing trip up Mount Elbrus in Russia. He and I summited together and a few days later he convinced me to run the Moscow Marathon.
On December 23rd, 1999 I received an email from Rob:
“Hi Allan. I know it’s a bit late but do you have any interest in climbing Mount Aconcagua in January? I have my tickets already and am leaving January 9th.”
29 days later Rob and I were standing on top of the highest mountain in the Western (and Southern) Hemisphere, after nine days of hiking up the mountain.
Rob was an amazing guy. He was smarter, more athletic, and tougher than most people you will ever meet. He was opinionated and challenged you but respected your views if they made sense. He was a good friend and I would not have wanted anyone else at my side in difficult times.
Becky, I hope this message gets to you. I did not know of Rob's death until searching for his current email address so I could contact him.
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Becky Smurr uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 5, 2019
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Rob's headstone. A brief military service, for immediate family, was held on March 15th, 2018 at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA.
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Becky Smurr uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 5, 2019
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Rob gazing up at the Milky Way from Paradise, Mt Rainier National Park. Photo taken by Kenneth Tabbutt, friend and fellow professor at The Evergreen State College.
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The family of Robert Welling Smurr uploaded a photo
Friday, June 1, 2018
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Allison Hamaker posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Robert was a classmate and neighbor from our first days of elementary school through high school. I admired his wit, his trumpet playing, and his keen mind. When we met in a reunion a few years ago, I teased him and we had fun, but reading through these beautiful comments shows me that I should have sat next to him and asked about his adventures. Robert lived his life to the fullest. Love to you Becky. Love to you Claire. As your neighbor on my daily walk, I appreciate your garden gate with the word “Peace” that reminds me to appreciate the beauty of our relationships and the beauty in this earth. Robert will be sorely missed.
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John C Dougherty posted a condolence
Friday, January 26, 2018
To all the loved ones and coworkers of Rob,
Rob was such an impressive man that it should humble the more ordinary humans, like myself, that we live on while he can no longer be among us.
He was just as rare, unique, and irreplaceable as the many erratic boulders that he observed and admired.
The planet is not as well off as when he was alive but I get to keep part of the wisdom he shared with me while I was his student. A very small consolation.
Attention: Salute.
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Molly Whittaker posted a condolence
Thursday, January 25, 2018
I will remember Rob as one of the best professors I ever had the pleasure of studying under. My condolences to his friends and family.
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Ben Marcus posted a condolence
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Rob taught alongside Steven Hendricks in the first class I had at Evergreen called, Our Place in Nature. This program had a profound impact on me and set the bar very high for the rest of my formal education. The class was filled with rich, philosophical seminars about the natural world and humanity. The students and faculty formed a bond that only happens under the careful leadership of great teachers; Rob was that and more. I’ll reminisce about Rob’s slideshow of glacial erratics. Photos of rocks, he assured everyone that they were gigantic rocks, but there was never any frame of reference in the photos. Whenever I stumbled upon a big, solitary boulder I always thought of Rob; now that I know he’s gone, those thoughts will be more vivid.
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Jess (Ashi) posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Taking the Russia program with Rob and Pat in 2004-5 was one of the most significant parts of my time at Evergreen. Rob was a great teacher, and praised my writing in such a way that I have always remembered and have continued to make sure that I write, whatever I do, because he encouraged me.
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Kamryn Kadota posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
So thankful for Rob helping me develop my interest in Central European history and Russia. With the political situation being what it is, I’m so glad I registered for my first Rob Smurr program.
I’ll miss your enthusiasm for all things Estonia. RIP
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Emily Jindra posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Rob was one of my professors at Evergreen. I think I was with him for his very first stint on the teaching team as part of the Russia Program in 2000. I remember his easy smile, his fabulous sense of humor, the way he’d become animated when talking about rocks. Rocks! Rob found joy in everything he taught. (It is a special soul who can make 19th century Russia joyful.) The earth is darker with his passing. Parting is all we know of heaven, and all we need of hell; my deepest condolences to his family.
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Evan Coffey posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot think of a person who had a more formative effect on me in college, and I consider myself lucky to have been able to study under such a peerless gent. His dedication to his students was unmatched and I will forever be in his debt. Thank you Rob, Thank you.
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Kelly Carney posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Professor Rob Smurr was by far one of the most intelligent teachers that I’ve ever met. His knowledge of Europe and History was unrenound and. He along with Patricia Krafcik were my main influences while attending Evergreen it was with great pleasure that I was able to attend their classes. Rob always knew that his students could always improve and succeed no matter what and pushed us to get to that level. His passing is a devastating one for me but I learned a great deal from him while he was here. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Becky and the rest of his family. He will not only be greatly missed at Evergreen but by his students and colleagues. RIP Professor Smurr.
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Derek Trygstad posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Rob was my first professor at Evergreen, and I loved his style and substance so much I came back four years later and ended my college career with, regrettably, what would end up being his last program. He was always attentive to his students and genuinely warm and kind – and no one was more helpful to me personally as a student than Rob was. I’ll miss him a lot.
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Hannah Etengoff posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Rob. His class, to this day, remains my all time favorite class. I wish I could repeat it over and over because it was such an amazing learning opportunity but also it was just so much fun. Even after the class was done I still kept in touch with Rob and felt so fortunate to count him as a mentor. We shared a love of all things Russian as well as all things outdoors. I hope that Rob enjoys hiking all the trails and mountains up there in the great beyond. I know I will carry his memory with me on my travels.
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Lawrence Abrams posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
I was fortunate enough to have Rob as one of my Professors in the Blood and Borders class on Central and Eastern Europe. He always set a sterling example and brought out the best in his students. At the time I was a transfer student at Evergreen still looking for a new direction. Talking with Rob helped me decide to become a historian and helped set me on the path to my doctoral program at UC Davis. I owe him more than I can possibly express.
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Pat Krafcik posted a condolence
Saturday, January 20, 2018
The loss of Rob, my teaching partner in the Russia Program at The Evergreen State College since 2000 and my friend, is devastating. But his strength, his perseverance, his love of life, his total and absolute embrace of our beautiful and precious Natural World–this is what he has given to us.
It is Rob in that Patagonia jacket pictured above; and in friends’ photos it is Rob looking out to the vast Pacific Ocean and Rob looking up at the Milky Way up at Paradise in the Cascade Mountains–this is the Rob we remember and hold dear in our hearts. I join with our students who studied with us in the Russia Program at Evergreen and whose lives he has touched to let you know, Claire–as Rob’s mother–and you, Becky–as Rob’s wife and steadfast partner–that we will never ever forget this most beautiful soul.
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stephen wood posted a condolence
Friday, January 19, 2018
Up you go, Rob, our trusted friend and good Man.. Your great sense of humor touched us all. You will be missed. All the best to Becky and family.
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Meagan Gallegos posted a condolence
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Rob was an inspiration to many of his students, myself being one. I’m sorry to hear he has passed and hope that Becky, his family, and close friends all find peace in knowing he has touched the lives of so many people with his witty humor and love for the environment and Russia. This hits me hard, as he was always criticizing my work because he knew I could do better. He inspirsed me to be the best I could be. He was the best professor I had, sad to see him gone.
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Barb posted a condolence
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Becky, It’s been a long journey & I know Rob so appreciated your loving care. I’ll miss his terrible jokes.
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Kate Waldmann-Murphy posted a condolence
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Becky,
You have been a rock for Rob and and an inspiration to me. You have been in my thoughts and prayers for quite a while and will continue to be. Keep the wonderful memories that you two experienced.
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Kari Berger posted a condolence
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Dear Becky, I am saddened by the news of Rob’s passing and yet know too that he’s free now from his affliction, and that has to be a good thing. I send you my deep condolences, and know he was a lucky man to have been so cared for. He is surely terribly missed by his many friends, associates and family, including Gussie
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Linda Batway posted a condolence
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Oh Becky. I have wondered how things were going for you two. Hoping that you find joy in your memories and rest in your grief. I hold you in my heart.
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Susan E posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
So sad to see such a great soul is gone. Sending much love to Becky and Claire.
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Bob Stacey posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Losing Rob hits me hard. He was a teaching assistant with me while he was a graduate student at UW, and at the time was one of the few veterans in the program. I admired him greatly in both these roles. It is hard to fathom how he could be gone.
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Jonathan Bobaljik posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
My deepest condolences – we worked together in Kyrgyzstan in the 1990s – it was a privilege to share those experiences.
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Frith posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
What a fine son you raised, Claire — so much spirit and intelligence and integrity in that man. The cancer years were the ultimate ultra-marathon, and Rob could not have had a stronger teammate — Becky: month after month after month you gave Rob such loving and devoted care. I can’t yet wrap my mind around him being gone, but I feel blessed that I lucked into Rob as a friend, and that I get to keep you.
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