Robert Fox

1945 - 2021

Robert Page Fox, a good man, died Jan. 15, 2021. He was born Aug. 14, 1945, in Oklahoma City to John and Mary Fox. In 1949, Robert, with his family, drove up the Alaska Highway in an old Studebaker, first settling on Annette Island before moving to Anchorage.
In 1964, Robert volunteered for the Navy and served in Vietnam. After his discharge he moved to Fairbanks, where he attended the University of Alaska while driving a tourist bus for Greyhound. For several years he worked at the Gilmore Tracking Station. During the pipeline era he worked as a Teamster in the pipe yard. In 1977, Robert transitioned into the real estate business.
During Robert's career as a Realtor, he succeeded in getting Home Depot and Pace (now Costco) to build stores in Fairbanks and AIH to move into the former Pay 'n Pak location. Through the years, Robert's expertise in commercial real estate helped develop Fairbanks. His real passion, however, was raw land, whether in the Interior, down on the Kenai or an island in Southeast.
Robert was not just a Realtor. He was an Alaska Renaissance man. When he was not selling real estate, he was actively and passionately engaged in the following activities: archery, big game guiding, jewelry making, boat building, knife making, beekeeping, house building, apple and cherry tree growing, gardening, bread baking, furniture making, world class fishing, salmon smoking, bridge playing, photography, cribbage playing and fly tier. Robert was always happy to share his expertise with any of the above activities.
Three decades ago, Robert started growing apple trees. He started some varieties from seed and grafted others. These trees are now scattered throughout Fairbanks and will be blooming in the spring.
In 1974, Robert married Karen and began building the first family home. During their marriage, Robert built his family six homes. Robert built his final home last year while battling cancer. All but one are in the downtown area, and they are all recognizable by their distinctive cedar siding.
Robert is survived by Karen, his wife of 46 years; his son, Robert; daughter, Mary, and grandson, Horus. Other survivors include his Texas family: Richard and Brenda Fox; Rhett and Kimberly Stokes and children Cooper, Sutton and Gunner; Chris and Kendra Lawson and children Zac and Ella; Brian and Melanie Fox and children Teagan, Annslee and Graham; Allison and Jason Considine and daughter Sadie; and his brother Mike and family of Anchorage. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, MaryDee Fox; and nephew Dean Fox as well as his brother-in-law, Frank Kovac.
Robert was well loved by his family and friends. There aren't enough words to express the loss of our husband, father and friend. A celebration of Robert's life will follow at a better time.