Robert B. Ditton

January 22, 1943 – October 30, 2009

Dr. Robert B. Ditton of College Station, Texas passed away peacefully Friday, October 30, 2009 at College Station Medical Center, surrounded by his family, after a two year long courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, January 22, 1943, to Flora and Robert Ditton, Robert was an Eagle Scout and lover of the outdoors. He earned his Bachelor's of Science from State University of New York at Cortland in Recreation Education in June 1964. He earned his Master's from University of Illinois in 1966 and his Doctorate in Recreation and Park Administration in 1969.

Upon graduation, he accepted a faculty position at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1969 in Leisure Sciences/Regional Analysis and remained there until 1974. Robert had a definite love for Green Bay and returned there many years later. In 1974, he accepted a faculty position at Texas A&M University in Recreation and Parks. He remained in that department until 1988 when he joined the faculty of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, while still maintaining a Graduate Faculty appointment in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences in 1990. In 2003, he was honored with the appointment as a Graduate Faculty Member in Public & Environmental Affairs at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; as well as an Adjunct Professor position in the Ph. D. program in Coastal Resources Management from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

During his long successful career, Robert taught a number of classes at the graduate level focusing on Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Outdoor Management. He advised a large number of graduate students and was respected by all who worked with him. He served in many editorial positions for numerous scientific journal publications including but not limited to North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Fisheries, Society and Natural Resources, Journal of Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Management, Leisure Sciences (Editor-in-Chief), Coastal Zone Management Journal and the Journal of Leisure Research. He co-wrote 3 books and hundreds of journal articles and papers in his field of expertise. Robert was affiliated with a number of professional organizations including American Fisheries Society, Texas Chapter- American Fisheries Society, National Recreation and Park Association, Society for Park and Recreation Educators and AFS Committee on the Human Dimensions of Recreational Fisheries.

Robert was an avid traveler and had amazing opportunities to travel all over the world doing what he loved. He was part of many projects in Norway, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Italy, Hungary, Jordan, Guatemala, Finland, Ireland, Dominican Republic, Portugal, Korea, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and more.He was invited to speak and present his research in many places. One of his greatest honors was teaching classes in Wuhan, China and South Korea.

Robert retired in September 2007 as Professor Emeritus in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences and Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. Robert has been honored with numerous awards including the Benton H. Box Award, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. October 2007; Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Recreation Resource Planners, May 2007; Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching (College Level), Fall 2004; Vice Chancellor's Award for Graduate Teaching, Agriculture Complex, Texas A&M University, 1999; Outstanding Educator Award - Texas Chapter, American Fisheries Society, 1998; Group Scientific Achievement Award awarded to the TAMU Human Dimensions of Fisheries Research Lab, The Billfish Foundation, Miami, 1996; Metcalf Lecture, Department of Leisure and Recreation Studies, State University of New York - Cortland College, named Distinguished Alumnus by the State University of New York-Cortland College, 1987; Recipient of the Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Recreation and Park Research, presented by the trustees of the National Recreation and Park Association, 1986; First Recipient of the Allen V. Sapora Research Award for Excellence in Research presented by the Department of Leisure Studies, University of Illinois, 1986; Elected Fellow, Academy of Leisure Sciences, 1984; President, 1991; Recipient of the Charles K. Brightbill Award (Outstanding Graduate Student Award), presented by the Faculty of the Department of Recreation and Park Administration, University of Illinois, 1968.

Robert is survived by his wife of 43 years, Penelope; his daughter Allison and her husband Rob of Atlanta, GA; his daughter Megan of Chicago, IL; his brother John and his wife Jeanne and their 2 children, Michael and Erika of Wappinger Falls, NY; his brother Father Franciscus Ditton of Rome, Italy; his beloved Cairn Terrier Charlie and countless former students, colleagues and friends.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station. In lieu of flowers, the Ditton family is requesting memorial donations to be made to the Robert B. Ditton Scholarship Fund at Cortland College. This scholarship fund will underwrite expenses for low-income students to attend the Raquette Lake Outdoor Education Program. Please send donations to: Cortland College Foundation, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, NY 13045. Please make checks payable to: Cortland College Foundation – DITTON.