Robert P. Kraft

So sorry Ken and Ginger and Family, What an amazing man, now i see where your huge musical talent came from Ken. He will be on the wings of the Angels, in the bible it says, just look up and you will see me. Love to you all, Misha

In the realm of classical music, Bob was passionate in determining the extent to which musicians and conductors have the "taste" and the "countinence" to perform what the composer indicates in the musical score. I have a passion for historiography. From time to time I would come across an interesting historiographical idea or artifact that I would discuss with Bob. Are Beethoven's metronome markings accurate? What are we to make of the workings and sounds of a piano that Beethoven...

I will look up at the stars and remember the most brilliant and humble man I have ever known.

Kim Geddes Underwood

My extremely fond memories of Bob go back to 1966 or 1967 when, with his young sons, he came through Princeton to give a talk in his inimitable style, which I as a freshly minted PhD was privileged to hear. We became friends with paths often (but not often enough!) intersecting over the following five decades. During my 1976 mini-sabbatical in Santa Cruz he and Rosalie extended abundant warm hospitality to me, during what was both a lonely time (my family was in Chile) and the most...

Kraft was the director of Lick who decided that astronomers from all UC campuses should be entitled to apply for observing time, while his predecessor allowed only those from UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and UCSC. As then the only astronomer from another campus, UC Irvine, I very much appreciated this decision! Virginia Trimble

I live near Bob and Rosalie's home in Aptos. Always remember them walking in their determined way each morning. Such wonderful people. I'll always remember Bob's smile and his down to earth ways. Always knew of his impressive academic background and admired him for it. He will be dearly missed on the street.

I feel privileged that I got to know and work with Bob over the last two decades. In addition to being one of the world's leading scientists, he was the embodiment of kindness and really exemplified the value of being nice to people. Bob was a dear friend and mentor to me. I will miss him so much.

I was priveledged to spend a few days as a roomate with Robert as I was reccoveirng from a hip replacement surgery. We had many interesting and stimulating converstions and I was very sad to hear of his passing. My mother and father met singing in the San Francisco Opera back in the 40's so we had lots to talk about and many similar interests. I have just learned many of the constellations this last year so I was so grateful to spend time with him on this a s well as the musical interests. I...