Robert E. Seevers, March 18, 1935 -August 8, 2008


Bob grew up in Richland, Baker County, Eastern Oregon, graduating from Eagle Valley High School in 1953. From 1954 to 1956 he served in the U.S. Army.

At Portland State University he earned his B.S. in 1963 and at Oregon State University his Ph.D. in 1968. Under President Elmo Stevenson he was hired in 1967 at Southern Oregon College in the Chemistry Department, then chaired by Lloyd Pennington, as Assistant Professor. His main teaching duties included General Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. Bob was promoted to Associate Professor five years later followed by promotion to full Professor after another seven years.

His professional contributions included grant-funded development of microcomputer applications in physical chemistry laboratories and research of electron transport in doped, crystalline solids. Bob was revered by his students and was known to be a well-organized lecturer, fair grader, and dependable adviser. As a professional colleague he was even tempered, good humored, creative, supportive and a true friend.

Following his retirement in 1993 he dedicated much of his time to fly fishing and backpacking. In the winter he turned to telemark skiing in the Wallowas, Mt. Ashland, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Hood, Mt. Lassen, the Three Sisters and hut-to-hut snow touring in Colorado and British Columbia.

Bob’s vitality and spirit and finally his life fell prey to the much dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Rauch, four children Steve, Becky, Bradley, Scott and their mother Joan Seevers as well as by five grandchildren.