Robert Cummings unexpectedly passed away on January 3rd, 2026 at the age of 82. Funny, loyal, and caring, Bob was a loving father and devoted husband. His passion for rocks led him to a career in geology and his love of music filled his record cabinet.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Helen Cummings, and his brother Grant. He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth, children Beth Anne, Lisa, Brian, and Darrah, granddaughter Ashley (Michael), great-granddaughter Adella, and family and friends galore.
Bob was born to Calvin and Helen Cummings on February 5, 1943 in St. Louis, MO. He grew up in Toledo, Ohio with one younger brother, Grant. Relentless punsters, a family trait, the brothers were super close their whole lives. They both fell in love with geology during a cub scout project in elementary school that took over the entire garage. It was obvious to everyone by middle school that both would turn their obsession with rocks into rewarding careers. Bob and his brother went to the Michigan Technological University in the UP, joined the same fraternity, developed a love of hockey and fermenting all-the-things.
After graduate school Bob started his lifelong geological career with Asarco and especially loved his adventures in the field. His position landed him in Arizona where the desert always held a special place in his heart. He "talked" to rocks and wanted to teach you all about them. "See, you gotta talk to this rock. First you look at it, you touch it and feel its texture. Then, you might have to use your hammer and crack it open. Sometimes you might even have to LICK it!"
Music was one of Bob's love languages. He made mixtapes for friends, as holiday gifts and volunteered at KXCI Community Radio for many years. He reluctantly pulled a few DJ shifts on air, but really loved helping out by taking tickets at the door and seeing the shows for free. He even dragged his first kid, Beth Anne, to some of those shows during their high school years. Late nights often found them in the "philosophy chairs" discussing Life, the Universe, and Everything, even though they already knew that the answer was 42.
In the late 80's he met his soulmate, Elizabeth. Music, the beauty of the desert and traveling drew them together. They married and built an idyllic adobe house in the desert on Tucson's west side in 1992. Here they planted trees, ran miles and miles of drip irrigation and had special chairs to watch the nightly ritual of the quail bedding down in an ancient Palo Verde. Their kitchen was often full of laughter, dancing while cooking some of the best family recipes around, and sips on some delectable cocktails, too.
Being a grandpa and great grandpa was a special treat for Bob. He shared his sense of humor and love, watching with wonder and teaching with thoughtful discussion. His granddaughters will always remember his easygoing nature, his generosity, and his love of learning about other cultures through travel.
After retiring in 2007, Bob and Elizabeth traveled even more. Their trips to New Orleans, Italy, and Spain were enjoyed. Their favorite was an African Safari Bob took Elizabeth on in Botswana, a life goal for her. They loved the animals, the food, but especially the people they met. It was on this trip they learned about the word, "pula" which is a greeting and a blessing, as well as the word for rain and the name of the national currency. Many toasts after this trip were offered just by saying, "Pula!"
Bob lived a rich and fulfilling life after retirement. Consulting at his old mine kept him sharp and that daytimer gene in good use. In 2019 Bob and Elizabeth said good-bye to their beloved adobe nest in the desert and moved to Oro Valley. Bob enjoyed meeting new friends, staying active with classes, volunteering at the library, committee work, and of course, teaching people about geology whenever he could. He loved his morning coffee group and helping the scholarship fund for the staff. And no matter the time or distance, Bob and Grant stayed close. They often "watched" hockey games together over the phone, celebrating goals and yelling at the referee at the same time. They would often debate the nuances of geology stuff, just like other brothers might spar about cars.
Oh Bobert! Lover of Hockey, Licker of Rocks, Master of the Mixtape, we will miss you so much, but know in our heart of hearts that you are out there, somewhere, doing that boogie-woogie!
A memorial service will be held in the fall. Details to come. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to KXCI Community Radio, where Bob volunteered for many years.
Pula!
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Helen Cummings, and his brother Grant. He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth, children Beth Anne, Lisa, Brian, and Darrah, granddaughter Ashley (Michael), great-granddaughter Adella, and family and friends galore.
Bob was born to Calvin and Helen Cummings on February 5, 1943 in St. Louis, MO. He grew up in Toledo, Ohio with one younger brother, Grant. Relentless punsters, a family trait, the brothers were super close their whole lives. They both fell in love with geology during a cub scout project in elementary school that took over the entire garage. It was obvious to everyone by middle school that both would turn their obsession with rocks into rewarding careers. Bob and his brother went to the Michigan Technological University in the UP, joined the same fraternity, developed a love of hockey and fermenting all-the-things.
After graduate school Bob started his lifelong geological career with Asarco and especially loved his adventures in the field. His position landed him in Arizona where the desert always held a special place in his heart. He "talked" to rocks and wanted to teach you all about them. "See, you gotta talk to this rock. First you look at it, you touch it and feel its texture. Then, you might have to use your hammer and crack it open. Sometimes you might even have to LICK it!"
Music was one of Bob's love languages. He made mixtapes for friends, as holiday gifts and volunteered at KXCI Community Radio for many years. He reluctantly pulled a few DJ shifts on air, but really loved helping out by taking tickets at the door and seeing the shows for free. He even dragged his first kid, Beth Anne, to some of those shows during their high school years. Late nights often found them in the "philosophy chairs" discussing Life, the Universe, and Everything, even though they already knew that the answer was 42.
In the late 80's he met his soulmate, Elizabeth. Music, the beauty of the desert and traveling drew them together. They married and built an idyllic adobe house in the desert on Tucson's west side in 1992. Here they planted trees, ran miles and miles of drip irrigation and had special chairs to watch the nightly ritual of the quail bedding down in an ancient Palo Verde. Their kitchen was often full of laughter, dancing while cooking some of the best family recipes around, and sips on some delectable cocktails, too.
Being a grandpa and great grandpa was a special treat for Bob. He shared his sense of humor and love, watching with wonder and teaching with thoughtful discussion. His granddaughters will always remember his easygoing nature, his generosity, and his love of learning about other cultures through travel.
After retiring in 2007, Bob and Elizabeth traveled even more. Their trips to New Orleans, Italy, and Spain were enjoyed. Their favorite was an African Safari Bob took Elizabeth on in Botswana, a life goal for her. They loved the animals, the food, but especially the people they met. It was on this trip they learned about the word, "pula" which is a greeting and a blessing, as well as the word for rain and the name of the national currency. Many toasts after this trip were offered just by saying, "Pula!"
Bob lived a rich and fulfilling life after retirement. Consulting at his old mine kept him sharp and that daytimer gene in good use. In 2019 Bob and Elizabeth said good-bye to their beloved adobe nest in the desert and moved to Oro Valley. Bob enjoyed meeting new friends, staying active with classes, volunteering at the library, committee work, and of course, teaching people about geology whenever he could. He loved his morning coffee group and helping the scholarship fund for the staff. And no matter the time or distance, Bob and Grant stayed close. They often "watched" hockey games together over the phone, celebrating goals and yelling at the referee at the same time. They would often debate the nuances of geology stuff, just like other brothers might spar about cars.
Oh Bobert! Lover of Hockey, Licker of Rocks, Master of the Mixtape, we will miss you so much, but know in our heart of hearts that you are out there, somewhere, doing that boogie-woogie!
A memorial service will be held in the fall. Details to come. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to KXCI Community Radio, where Bob volunteered for many years.
Pula!
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