ROBERT ALBRITTON

Robert Rapp Albritton died on October 5, 2025, with severe dementia diagnosed in 2019. Predeceased by his birth parents, Robert Rapp and Geraldine Harter; his adoptive parents, Robert Sanford Albritton and Helen Richards; and his first wife, Regela Melden. He is survived by his birth sister, Laurie Brown; and his childhood best friend and adoptive brother, David Albritton; his wife, Jennifer Welsh (nee Allan); stepdaughter, Sian Rawkins (Jason Joannou); and grandchildren, Jaxon and Mya. Grounded in the love of his birth family and adoptive family, Rob was kind and nurturing, with a ready smile and words of encouragement. He was the love of Jennifer's life. He embraced his role as father, grandfather and uncle with tenderness and inspiration. He was a cherished friend to many. Most moving, however, was his mentoring role - "life changing" as many described - and one could hear or read the tears in their reaction to learning of Rob's rather sudden passing. In 1958, Rob started university at Northwestern with an eye on a career in architecture; however, one year travelling in Europe ignited a passion for politics which drew him to Berkeley (BA 1963) and to UCLA (MA 1967; PhD 1973.) Taking a position at York University in 1969, he encountered Tom Sekine whose work with the Uno school of Japanese Marxism shaped Rob's academic life, which is embodied in several books and articles. The most formative experience of Rob's life was working in Ethiopia with the Peace Corps 1963-65. Friendships were maintained through reunions and email. Similarly with academic life, lifelong friendships developed, especially with graduate students and the Uno study group which met at Rob and Jennifer's home from 1985 to 2015. Backpacking, gardening, baseball, windsurfing, world music, jazz, dancing and travel were things Rob enjoyed. But walking and adoring four golden retrievers over 40 years brought the most constant joy to Rob right to the end. Grandchildren, Jaxon and Mya, miraculously became young adults as Rob's dementia worsened, and family photos, including those of nephews, James and Jonathan and their families, always generated a smile. Rob was challenging and disruptive in his politics, but lived a peaceful and loving life, having a profound and lasting impact. In memory of Rob, contributions can be made to an organization of your choice.