ROBERT KING SLOANE

SLOANE, Robert King Age 85, of Brookline, passed away on May 12, 2021 with his loving wife of 59 years, Regina Healy, at his side. Born in Lima, Ohio, Bob first came to Boston to pursue graduate studies in urban planning, after which he and Regie took their infant son, Burt, to Germany on a Fulbright scholarship for study at the Universität Bonn. Their return to the US was followed by the adoption of their daughter, Sydney, and the birth of their son Jacob. Bob cared a lot about his chosen city and worked hard to make it a better place to live and work. In his role as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Assistant Secretary of Transportation, which began the planning of the Central Artery project, he was active in encouraging public participation and in listening to the needs of the cities and towns of the Boston region. He was an instrumental part of the team that relocated the Orange Line in Boston's Southwest Corridor and worked on the Central Artery. Mid-career, he obtained a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law, after which he and Regie published the Maine Law Review with friends.   Bob co-founded WalkBoston and became a passionate advocate for pedestrian access and for appreciating the city and all cities on foot. He edited the book "Walking Tours of Boston's Unique Neighborhoods," which reveals usually overlooked secrets and charms of his beloved Boston. For all of this, he was recognized by the White House as a Transportation Innovator "Champion of Change" in 2012. He also championed local causes as a Town Meeting member for Brookline. Through the many years of their marriage, Bob and Regie supported each other through the loss of a child, several job changes, multiple moves, and many travel adventures and medical mishaps. Their deep bond was an inspiration to everyone in their lives. Together they enjoyed summers on the Cape with their grandchildren, going to plays and operas, and contemporary literature. Bob's various hobbies included painting, genealogy, and self-publishing a book on the courthouses of Maine. Bob was a model spouse, a loving father, and a doting grandfather. Bob was preceded in death by his daughter Sydney and by his sister, Jeanne Wert. He is survived by his wife, by his son Burt Sloane and daughter-in-law Lisa Sands of San Francisco, by his son Jacob Sloane and daughter-in-law Cynthia Hayne of Brookline, by his grandchildren Eleanor Sloane and Owen Sloane, and by his nephew Mark Wert of Cincinnati. Services will be private. Donations in Bob's name may be made to WalkBoston at www.WalkBoston.org

View the online memorial for Robert King SLOANE