ROBERT E. FAST

FAST, Robert E. Of Newton, died on October 20 following a hard fought battle with COPD. He was born in New Salem PA in 1935, son of the late Elisabeth Anna Tracy Fast and Charles Barron Fast. His mother was a homemaker and piano teacher, while his father managed the local general store. Bob graduated in 1953 from Brownsville High School where he was Captain of the Debate team that competed throughout Pennsylvania, then nationally. At the University of Pennsylvania he continued debating around the country, participated in several on and off campus organizations, served in the Air Force R.O.T.C., and secured a B.A. in 1956 and M.A. in 1957, both with honors and awards. He then went to Harvard Law School. After earning his J.D. at Harvard, he joined the law firm of Hale and Dorr. He became a senior partner, gaining a reputation as an outstanding trial lawyer who, until his retirement, handled a wide variety of commercial cases, while always making time for pro bono legal work and to advise friends and family. He was on the Board of Directors of John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Greater Boston Council, and Boy Scouts of America, and an Arbitrator, AAA Select Complex litigation Panel. While at the University of Pennsylvania, Bob met and married Elizabeth Spillman. Together they had two boys, Robert Barron Fast and James Elliott Fast. Betty predeceased Bob after a long fight with cancer and renal failure. His law partners may remember Bob for pragmatic and successful representation of his clients in complex litigation, but his family and everyone else who knew him cherished him as a trusted friend, mentor and advisor whose intelligence, compassion and generosity were matched with a puckish spirit and prankster ways. Notwithstanding his extraordinary accomplishments, Bob was a man of humility. He never lost his down to earth character. From an early age, Bob's passion was building, fixing and tinkering with all things mechanical, first motorizing his little red wagon, then go-carts and lawn mowers, and later repairing and improving the performance of motorcycles, tractors, cars, even boats. He spent many winter weekends ice racing cars on frozen New England lakes. He was an avid sailor and enjoyed exploring the coast of New England and annual pilgrimages with family and friends to the BVI's. Bob loved problem solving, especially if he could do so with a partner, beginning with his father, then with his sons, Rob and James, working on cars or other mechanical challenges, and also with anyone else who shared his interests, or who needed his help. The sharing of the problem solving fueled the strong bonds of the relationships he treasured throughout his life. Bob was also active in 12-Step recovery and brought his compassion and generosity to this part of his life. He supported Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers, opened his home for a weekly 12-step meeting for nearly 20 years, and sponsored, mentored and devoted himself to those who sought sobriety and were working to maintain it. Bob loved animals and had dogs throughout his life. Beagles, boxers and a Great Dane named Zeus were the main characters of some of his favorite stories. After learning of the plight of racing greyhounds, he began adopting and fostering the welfare of these animals. He was one of the founders, a president and long term board member of the non- profit organization, The Greyhound Project, Inc., whose mission is to support and promote the adoption of greyhounds retiring from racing. In 1982 Bob met Lisa Huber in court, an attorney on another side of a case. They shared competitive spirits, a love of animals and adventure, and a respect and admiration for each other's individuality and individual interests. They married in 2000. Despite Bob's failing health, they crammed a lifetime of travel and adventure and joy into his remaining dozen years. Bob never lost his courage, dignity nor his sense of humor. He was forever a sensitive, caring and honorable man. He could be a tough taskmaster and was an incorrigible jokester. He is survived by his wife Lisa, his sister Ermalee Foster of Washington PA, sons James Fast of West Richland Washington, Robert Fast of Cumberland Maine, and grandsons Harry Fast and Tom Fast who fondly refer to him as "Boston Grandpa". A remembrance will be held on Saturday October 27. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morris Animal Foundation (10200 E Girard Ave. Denver CO) or The Greyhound Project, Inc. (P.O. Box 5239, Framingham, MA).