Lee, New Hampshire
An Insatiable Globetrotter
He had the itchiest feet. Robert LeBlanc's insatiable desire to see the world meant he would not even have embarked on one trip when he would already be sketching out the next.
"We were due to leave for Argentina right after Sept. 11," said his wife, Andrea LeBlanc. "Then we had tickets on the desk to go to India. We were planning to go to Sweden in the summer. Last year, we celebrated his birthday in Burma."
Mr. LeBlanc, 70, was a professor emeritus of geography at the University of New Hampshire, and lived in Lee, N.H., with his wife. Though he had retired from teaching nearly there years ago, he remained an active and restless scholar. On Sept. 11, he was on United Airlines Flight 175 to a geography conference in Los Angeles.
"He didn't just want to read books about people," Mrs. LeBlanc said. "He wanted to go there. He wanted to smell the smell and taste the food and talk to the people."
There were not many places he had not been. Granted, he had never set foot in Antarctica. But he did live on an ice island near Greenland on two occasions when he was in college. And he worked once on a glacier, taking core samples.
Now his wife faces the considerable task of sorting out his frequent-flier mileage. "There are seven different airlines he has frequent-flier mileage with," she said. "It's impossible."
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 4, 2001.
Robert G. LeBlanc, 70, was a geography professor at the University of New Hampshire who died on his way to a geography conference in Los Angeles aboard United Flight 175.
He liked to travel and had been to numerous exotic and dangerous locales around the world.
He was a great cook, wore Birkenstock sandals and glasses, had a gray beard, and smiled a lot. Easygoing and laid-back, LeBlanc "took care of his wife," a veterinarian, said Ronnie Willard, a receptionist at the Oyster River veterinary clinic owned by LeBlanc's wife, Andrea.
He had five children, Carolyn, Paul and John LeBlanc and Nissa and Kjel Youngren, and two grandsons.
I was just telling someone about you yesterday. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I remember you and how you helped me. I have gotten so much older since 1999 at UNH. A few words from you changed the trajectory of my life forever in a sliding doors moment. I’m so sorry for what happened to you. I keep your memory alive by telling others.
A Non
August 04, 2024
My wife Nancy and I are watching the 9/11 memorial coverage. She happened to look up on the screen and saw the name Robert G LeBlanc scroll. We immediately researched his name found a truly beautiful and remarkable man, husband, father and teacher. I am honored to share his name and will remember 9/11 very differently from now on. God bless you.
Robert & Nancy LeBlanc
September 11, 2021 | Newton, IA | Family
Dr. LeBlanc, I regret I lost the opportunity to know you better. You could have continued to all make the world better.
Anna Carson, Ph.D. Geography, Indiana State University
September 11, 2021 | Clinton, IN | Coworker
Thinking of Dr. LeBlanc today. I had him long ago for a Gen-Ed course, and remember him as an enthusiastic teacher. I will continue to think of him every 9/11.
Anne R Sloan, PhD '92
September 11, 2019 | Stratham, NH | Student
As a fellow geography professor, and a Cajun, I have often used the research done by him. It was awfully good and trailblazing work, the kind of information that will be used and cited for many years. I met him at various meetings, and liked him very much. We will all miss him in the geography profession.
Malcolm Comeaux
May 31, 2016 | Tempe, AZ
Thinking of Robert's friends and family all over the world today. We will never forget. Much love from Texas
Del Newberry
December 11, 2015 | Garland, TX
I'll never forget a field trip to Quebec while as a student at UNH. The expedition was beautiful, informative, and fun most of all. Dr LeBlanc was, of course, knowledgeable but also took time to be approachable to his students:
Upon the arrival of our van at the US/Canada border, the Customs Agent asked what we all had to declare. Dr LeBlanc remarked that he had a "small flask of gin" which made every student crack up but had the additional effect of demonstrating his down-to-earth...
Ben Smith
December 01, 2015 | Boston, MA
We will never forger
Jenny Sprague
September 11, 2015 | Attleboro, MA
this man was a great man. I'm so sorry for everyone who has lost this great wonderful man.
skylar smith
September 07, 2015 | Houston, TX
