Bob Easton: An Eaglebrook Legend

Meet Bob when i was 10 years old. in the last 40 years not a day goes by something Bob taught me does not show up. i even invited him to my wedding. I as all the others posting, feel honored to have been in his company for what ever the time allowed. Ruth and the easton family will always be in my heart. I read he was a giant of a man, Its true, No man will ever fill his shoes or handle a double head axe like him.

My indelible memory of Bob Easton was from the Fall of 1955, I believe, as EBS was readying for Country Fair. All the usual preparations were moving ahead on Infirmary Field, and, of course, we were all keeping an eager eye on it all. And it was all Bob's work! Then, starting on Friday night - or it could have been earlier - truly torrential rains began to fall. Absolute gully-washers. And spirits sagged, as we all contemplated an alternative (not fun, we guessed) program for Saturday morning. When we woke the next morning, the rains continued unabated, and we could look down on the Deerfield playing fields totally under water from the Deerfield River backing up. But then!!! There in the Field House - still with its dirt floor - was the entire Country Fair Mid-way. Bob - I'm sure with a few others - had moved all of Infirmary Field there over night. How he did it still mystifies me. But it was a huge triumph, and everything went ahead with the great fun we had thought we were going to have to forsake. Just one instance when Bob Easton made a difference - as he did in so many ways. No question, we have all lost a wonderful, wonderful person and mentor who exemplified all the best ways that EBS was such a powerfully important part of our growing up. I never had him in class, never did trail work, never was in his and Ruth's dorm - but always knew he was someone to admire and was an exemplar of all that any of us could hope to be.

Mr. Easton and Mrs. Easton were my first dorm masters in Bancroft house over 50 years ago. My, that seems a long time ago. Mr. Easton was also my first science teacher and my first advisor. With each midwestern thunderstorm that passes over Chicago, I think of his diagramming the cold air pushing the hot moist air upward. My wife still thinks that thunderstorms bring cool air. "No, dear, other way around," I have answered so many times -- to no avail. Mr. Easton was more convincing, I guess. The one thing I will remember is his posture. Like many boys, I'm sure, I struggled my first term at Eaglebrook. Geo-science was very difficult for me. By spring term, my grades were up. "My, you've really improved," Mr. Easton said as he looked over his grade book. He really knew how to make a boy feel proud. We all grieve Mr. Easton's passing; but we should rejoice that this man walked the earth. It is a gift to be a teacher, because a teacher's students will keep giving the teacher's gifts to others, even after the teacher is gone. And Mr. Easton taught so many. Thank you. McKim Barnes '61

Tom Easton ‘59 It has been heartwarming to read the many comments that have been posted on the Eaglebrook Forum website following the sad news of the passing of Bob Easton. Not only was he my father, but he was also my teacher, mentor, idol, confidant and best friend. As a child I remember him as a giant of a man, strong in stature, yet gentle in demeanor and forever offering encouragement toward achieving ones’ dreams. He recognized that we are all human, with the capacity to experience great achievement, as well as great disappointment. However, no matter what the score, he was always at your side with his strong hands outstretched, ready to pick you up, dust you off and place you back on your feet. Throughout my life he served as my beacon, guiding me to higher achievements and instilling the virtues of honesty, integrity and a sound work ethic. Whether learning to ski, swinging my own double-bit axe, training to become a pilot, striving to become a successful FBI agent or building a house, he was always supportive in offering the right amount of encouragement. My dad chose to live his life by example, constantly imparting his message on the importance of the environment, the pursuit of knowledge and the need for teamwork. His true passion was teaching and the opportunity to help mold young people into lifelong learners. Although his early working years during WWII were spent in industry, he left a lucrative and budding career to pursue his true calling in the classroom. From the time he and my mother, Ruth, arrived on the “hilltop” to join the faculty in January, 1948, until they retired in June, 1980, they were a team who believed in Eaglebrook’s mission and were so honored to have been entrusted by so many parents with the tutelage of their greatest treasures -- their children. Whether it was as dorm parents in the “cubies”, or their cherished time as classroom teachers, they gave of themselves as if each and every student was their own child. I would like to think that when they retired, they left Eaglebrook a better institution for their presence – from the lives they touched and influenced, to the ski trails that my dad carved out on Pocumtuck Mountain, to the Ranger Program he developed and through the high standards they set for all to emulate. I know I am a better person for having known and been touched by my father, and it is comforting to know that he had a similar effect on so many others. I thank those of you who have telephoned to reminisce, shed tears and to honor my dad, as well as all who have submitted comments to the website describing what he meant to each of you. Bob Easton always believed the true wealth of teachers is not measured through monetary rewards, but rather from the number of lives they touch and the people they shape through their teachings. If the heartwarming testimonials in the Eaglebrook Forum are any indication, then it can truly be said that my father was, indeed, a “rich” man.

It was with sorrow that I read that Bob had passed away. Last evening Bryan Lorber and I shared many fond memories of him. I will forever be indebted to Bob for what he taught me about the outdoors, cross-country skiing and especially the art and love of using an ax to chop down trees. As a sculptor, I have developed those skills first learned on the Mountain cutting ski tails, in much of the sculpture that I make. I was always amazed watching him wield his beautiful hand-forged double bladed ax, cutting any tree producing very large chips, no matter what the species, and rounding the stump out so that it had a wonderful inverted bowl shape. And he never got his ax into the dirt and it was always razor sharp - Wow. I also gained experience and a love of tools and discovered the joy of handwork with Bob. That too is an ongoing legacy of my time with him. It was in my fifth grade science class with him that I first made a model of something, plaster and wooden sticks. We were studying Jean George's "My Side of the Mountain" and the assignment was to design and make a model of a house that could be built out in the wilderness. A great project and it got me interested in materials and making things from my imagination. A great gift to have received from a great teacher. I send Ruth and the rest of the family my condolences.

I will never forget the "final exam" of my seventh grade science class. Bob took us out into the woods one morning armed with a tin bucket,a packet of soup, 3 or 4 matches, a compass. I still remember the cold bite in the air and the icy taste of the drifting snowflakes. The farther we went into the forest of Pocumtuck hill, the less our numbers became. When my time came, he gave me a topographic map, pointed to where we were right then, and said he would meet me at 2:00 pm at the location he had circled. Then off he and the few others went, leaving me in solace. Thanks to Bob, I was able to make a fire and boil some water. Several hours later, when I finally found his camp, he had saspirilla tea cooking! Bob instilled in me not only a love for nature and science but self-reliance. He is one of the reasons I chose to become a teacher.

Bob was instrumental in guiding me at Eaglebrook in my first few years of teaching. He was a model of health and fitness and at one with the outdoors. I look upon him as one of the greatest contributors in shaping what Eaglebrook and the surrounding environment was all about in those days. I am thankful I knew him and worked with him.

Bob Easton was our very own Paul Bunyan on the Hill, with his double bit axe, boundless energy and encouraging smile. Like others here, I have fond memories of trail crew, map and compass adventures and hands-on science, with Bob as our guide. Together Ruth and Bob hosted many a "home night" worthy of the name, often around a crackling campfire. Warm regards to Ruth and family.

Bob Easton was an extraordinary man on so many levels. During my four years at EBS I gained a lifelong appreciation and love of science, the environment, hiking and all things outdoors due to his influence. I still own the sheath knife that he taught me to sharpen and care for. There are very few people in my life who I can truly say formed me as a person. Bob Easton was one of them.

When I first arrived in Eaglebrook I was 10 years old. The Easton's were in charge of my dorm, the cubies I believe they were called. Since I am from Cuba, I had never seen snow. I will never forget a particular night in the fall when we were already sleeping that Ruth gently woke me up and told me that it was snowing and would I like to see it. I immediately woke up and still in my pajamas and a jacket I walked out into a wonderland. Of course, everyone else woke up and a few also joined me, but for a few minutes I was by myself and it is a moment I shall forever cherish and which I owe to the Eastons, the ultimate lovers of nature and the ones that did the most to welcome me to America and Eaglebrook. I then thought that Bob was the strongest man I had ever seen and even now, when I think of him, all I can recall are fine moments, he was certainly one of a kind. My deepest condolences to the family, especially to Ruth. He will not be forgotten.

Regretfully, I never had a class from Mr. Easton. From what I heard other students tell about him I believe he was a committed and engaging teacher. He was always a presence on campus, and respected by the student body. His legacy to Eaglebrook runs very deep. I am fortunate to have been at Eaglebrook when he was. My sincere condolences to all his family.

I was very moved to hear about Bob’s passing. He has been an inspiration in my life in so many respects. I remember my first camping trip on the hill, we found ourselves in a rainstorm with leaking tents, and I found shelter in his firewood tent with his dog, Bib. I was amazed when under his direction that we were able to move/relocate the ski jump. I remember spending three months limbing trees with an axe under his direction for the T-bar lift and working behind the LC on finishing the flag pole. He was patient, strong and steady. His character and integrity served as a model to all of us. Part of Bob is in all that he touched and all that we touch in our lives. Frost Cochran ‘80

Bob and Ruth Easton attended our class's 40th Reunion in 2004 and they both look great...Bob never seemed to age...all that I could think of was Jack Hepburn telling me in 1973 that he was younger than Bob and...well, you all know. Now that I try to teach underwater navigation, I think about the Rangers learning Orienteering while I was playing soccer. What a loss but what a great man who had such an effect on so many of us. Everytime I'm at EBS I look at the carvings that he did, especially all those Good Fellow names. A Renaissance man with survival skills.

Truly a great man and a part of the sinew of Eaglebrook that helped me become a better person as a young man. Thank you Bob Easton.

Reading these postings brings back such powerful memories... those fall days of swinging an axe to clear the ski trails... the danger and thrill of the Lighting Line at Fall Carnival... the many, many weekends I spent with Bob Easton and others on the Outward Bound campouts (sometimes lost and frozen), leading to a lifelong appreciation of adventure in the Outdoors. It reminds me of how Bob and other Eaglebrook faculty were wonderful mentors and role models, who taught me things I still use today. Thank you Bob.

While on a trail with Mr. Easton, a branch swiped his forehead. We were concerned. "Is it bleeding?" he asked. Yes, we told him. "Good!" he said. We moved on.

I was saddened with the news. As a Ranger from 1962-1964, Bob provided a great alternative to sports (at which I was no good) as that program was a viable way of avoiding sports. We cleared trails for skiing. He didn't ever chastise us in any way, even though some of us were not as strong as others. I was with him the afternoon of November 22, 1963 when someone came running to where we were working in the woods to announce the shooting of JFK. As I recall, no one said a word but all were quite upset. Bob kept us working and focused and all was well because of his grace and strength. I've never forgotten that moment. I never saw Bob or Ruth since graduation day in 1964, but when I went back to Eaglebrook this past summer for the first time his spirit was everywhere. May he rest in peace. Steve Allen '64

Bob Easton was one of a kind and epitomized what Eaglebrook was all about. His legacy will live on in generations to come. My deepst sympathies to his family.

Bob and Ruth tucked me into a nest in the”cubies” when I arrived, a shy, wide eyed 12 year old. I remember Bob as kind and strong and fully engaged. I remember resurfacing the rink with him after lights-out and seeing the Northern Lights dance above the dark campus, and learning to ski with him when the snow got ahead of the hockey team. Many other memories, but most of all I was completely engaged in his Biology class and the life in Whipple Pond. I even wrote a paper about anthropomorphized algae, frogs, and salamanders that were fearful of the CuSO4 that he was using to clear up the water. About 7 years ago wrote him hoping to find a copy of The Web of Life, our “textbook” which basically formed my perspective on life. He and Ruth with the help of a local librarian found 2 copies on-line and sent me one. I’ve followed up with calls and several inspiring and heart full visits where I learned that we both grew up in NJ and were both Lehigh engineers who refused to be owned by corporate America. I can honestly say that I’ve never been so deeply touched and beneficially influenced by anyone else outside my immediate family. Eaglebrook has established an Easton fund to support young teaching couples which, in addition to living the principles that were Bob, is one way we can honor this humble, wonderful, dedicated couple.

Trail clearing with Bob's Rangers is a firm and fond memory. In everything he did, Bob led by his fine example. My condolences to Ruth and the family.

Bob Easton was the kind of teacher we hope all of our children are blessed with at some point in their schooling. To me at the time he was larger than life, and played such a huge role in my time at Eaglebrook. He was my science teacher my ski & ski jump coach, I cleared the ski trails with him sugared the maples with him forged knives with him and attended his camp which was such a positive experience I will never forget it or him. Reading of his passing today brought back a flood of memories and tears. If I thought of anyone to be imortal it would be him. So learning he is no longer with us brings loss and sadness but but also great memories of how much he taught me personally and the values he instilled uppon me I still carry with me today. I miss him already!

Bob Easton ran the Ranger program and i was a participant both spring and fall of the two years I attended Eaglebrook (1971-1973). I was a city boy, born and raised in New York City: Bob taught me to embrace the outdoors. He taught me both self-reliance and teamwork. He was a real original: we shan't see his like again. Farewell, Bob, and God's grace be with you.

I send my deepest condolences to the Easton Family. Bob taught me to appreciate the outdoors and I continue to have a passion for our environment. As a student, I was amazed at his strength as a teacher and as a fellow faculty member, I was touched by his guidance and friendship. My thoughts are with you.

Funny how metal pictures get embedded permanently in one’s mind. I graduated in 1953 so the Bob Easton I knew would have been 36 years old. My mental physique picture of Bob was the epitome of outdoor fitness and health. Always doing impossible unheard of fantastic Eaglebrook Winter Carnival projects. I vividly recall Bob chopping down and hand shaving with an ax the bark off enough trees to build a greased “Roller Coaster Run” that worked like a Coney Island Roller Coaster. The project was the hit of the Winter Carnival, which is not surprising because all of Bob’s projects were a smash hit; especially the school skis trails and ski jump. Eaglebrook School and his many friends were blessed by a man who did things and did not merely talk about them!

I remember Bob Easton very fondly as the expert woodsman and can picture him today in his plaid flannel shirt with his ax over his shoulder. His cheerful, positive attitude was contagious to us all. My condolences to Ruth and his family.

There are very few people in my life that I can say I look back on with real reverence. Bob Easton would be at the top of that list. I thought he was immortal, so am surprised at his passing. But I am still grateful after 40 years that I got to spend a little time with him.

Bob Easton was one of the most memorable faculty members during my six years at Eaglebrook. What I remember most was his always cheerful, positive attitude. My condolences to Ruth and his family. Clark Whitney '50

Having spent three or four seasons in the Rangers and in cross-country skiing, as well as working on the ski trail axe crews, I remember Bob Easton so very well. I was continually amazed by his woodcraft and outdoor skills...I often thought that if he were stranded in the most Godforsaken wilderness with nothing but a string and a match, within 24 hours he'd be dining on frogs' legs and living in a comfortable shelter that would be the envy of any Eagle Scout. He was a no-nonsense kind of guy, but always fair, and there was absolutely no pretense about him: what you saw what was you got. A great teacher and a fine man...Eaglebrook was unbelievably lucky to have had him.

We are all saddened by the passing of "Bouncing Bob" Easton. What a wonderful role model: a serious science teacher, a perceptive dorm master, a tender human, and one heck-of-a outdoorsman. Every boy I knew looked up to Mr. Easton, knowning he could never attain Mr. Easton's stature. He was a man's man. Those who knew him are the better that he was in their lives. I know that I revered him....and still do! God bless Mrs. Easton and the children, Timmy, Dick and Susan.

In the late 1950's, I arrived at Eaglebrook as one of the youngest and lowest of the lower formers. Bob quickly became a great source of strength. His interest in math and science helped show me the way. He made cutting down a large maple tree, which he did with frequence, look so incredibly easy and his two headed ax became like a symbol of state requiring all of us in the woods to acknowledge excellence when we were around it and him. Bob and Ruth were a team and they made the lives of so many young men so much the better. Bob was a great teacher, leader, environmentalist and sportsman whom I shall dearly miss. The Parker family extends condolences to Ruth and her family.

It is difficult for me to look at a map, or the heavens without appreciating Bob‘s wisdom, knowledge and teaching style. He taught me how to observe and wonder about Nature and in many ways this has significantly influenced my own approach to learning and education. Now, I only wish I could teach my students, first hand; the sound of a falling tree, the shouts of “Timber…!” and the sight of a dozen awe struck kids scrambling for cover.

I still use some of the basic skills Bob taught me when, after the soccer season was over and before the snow laid its cape over the landscape, we were part of the trail crew. Learning to sharpen an axe was a skill I use to this day. The skills of felling giant oaks by axe, and then the teamwork of many boys together carrying logs off the trails are some of the indelible good memories of Eaglebrook. Dining at the table with Bob and Ruth was always a treat. I remember being impressed by him eating Grape Nuts at breakfast, his large, strong hands opening those small boxes of single-servings. Condolences to Ruth and family. Bob´s gift to us will live on by us carrying and giving it further.

Any love and respect of the outdoors I owe to Bob Easton, his patience and persistence in teaching the subtle ways to read and listen to Mother Nature have stuck with me all my life. He was a truly good and honest man who will be missed by every one whose life he touched.

I have been gone from Eaglebrook for almost 30 years yet my memory of walking in the woods with Bob Easton and his dogs; Bib and Shallah, collecting the sap for maple syrup will last another 30 years. To this day, I continue to marvel in the story of his ability to call just once to Bib and Shallah and they would soon appear at his side regardless of how far off into the wood they were. A rolemodel he will always be! My condolences!

Really sorry to hear about 'Mr. Easton'! Being one of the young men from the south (New Orleans) I had never been exposed to snow skiing before. By the time my 3 years at Eaglebrook were done, I had learned to ski, made the Ski Patrol due to encouragement from Mr. Easton. I also did one spring with the Rangers, and learned the use of the compass and the fundamentals of rock climbing (I really enjoyed the rappelling part of the course. My condolences to Mrs Easton and his family.

Sad to hear about Bob Easton. I always thought he's make it to 100... at least he came close! I always thought he was in fantastic shape for his age. He was a great science teacher, and I'm a techie, so that was especially meaningful. Plus, he taught me how to rock-climb and repel, which was very memorable as well. He will be missed.

What memories I have of Bob Easton. As a Ranger, Bob Easton and Lou Covert were the Eaglebrook experience. Camping, Climbing, Repelling (with HARD manilla rope,no less), triangulating with map and compass, clearing ski slopes, bulding ski jumps and assembling thevarious parts of Country Fair were opportunities unmatched anywhere. My experiences skiing were, undoubtedly, the motivation behind my move to Colorado. These two men taught me more, about life as well as about science and government, than any others since. Lou Covert, sadly, passed, a few years after I graduated from Eaglebrook. Of course, he was teaching others to climb at Outward Bound at the time. That Bob Easton lived so long is no surprise as he was fit and full of life. I am glad his name will carry forward at Eagelbrook with the Easton Ski Area!

Bob and Ruth are synonymous with Eaglebrook. I also was fortunate enough to attend their camp in Vermont one summer. Many of the orienteering skills I learned over that summer, I still apply in my teaching of middle school science today. He was a great mentor and teacher who will be missed by many an Eaglebrook Alum. I send my condolences to Ruth and the entire Easton family. Pivit ’79.

With goose bumps on my arms, I can still hear him calling his dog - Bib. He was a great man, and his spirit will live on.

I remember Bob with great fondness and share your loss!

Bob Easton was a giant of a man to this (at the time) 14 year old New York City boy. He taught me how to use an ax and allowed me the pleasure of cutting down a 30" diameter ash tree single handed while constantly reminding me to "Leave a clean stump." I helped debark the massive pine that he used to make the flagpole by the pond in '76/'77. Him striding up the trail with his shorts and huge hiking boots, ax over his shoulder, will always be imprinted on my mind as the image of Paul Bunyon. My condolences to Ruth and his family. He lived a great life and left his mark on hundreds of young boys.