Robert John Madigan

1943 - 2017

Robert John Madigan died peacefully at home on April 24, 2017, after a struggle with abdominal liposarcoma, a rare cancer. He was 74.
Bob was born on March 31, 1943, in Seattle, Wash. While attending Seattle University, he married Jodi Madigan in 1965. The couple moved to Los Angeles, Calif., in 1966, where he completed graduate studies at UCLA in Experimental Psychology. A long standing interest in Alaska was rewarded when he was offered a job in Anchorage, with the University of Alaska. This was in 1970, the time when the University was first offering four-year degrees there. Bob was an award-winning instructor in the psychology department at UAA, where his specialties were learning, memory and cognition. He was also active in the growth of the Anchorage campus as it added students, programs and facilities. He retired from the University in 2005, but continued to teach courses in memory through 2015.
Bob enjoyed working with his hands and pursued hobby interests in carpentry, metal working and electronics. He was an aviation enthusiast who built his own plane and flew in Alaska for almost 40 years. People who knew him found him to be a positive individual always ready to help and curious about the world.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jodi Madigan; and his sister, Elizabeth Finn of Mission Viejo, Calif.
At his request, there will be no service.
Arrangements with the Hasara Family at the Cremation Society of Alaska.