Robert F. Aldrich

Rob Aldrich was an ardent supporter of environmental causes, particularly those involving community conservation. Rob believed that everyone should have access to nature. Rob, who died on May 6, 2024, from brain cancer, is remembered as a kind and loyal person with a sharp wit who strove to explore, discover, and inspire others to appreciate different perspectives.

Rob grew up with seven siblings in Holliston, Massachusetts. His life passions were fostered by his father, John (Jack) Aldrich, a high school science teacher, and his mother, Mary Aldrich, a physical therapist. He met his spouse and soul mate, Lisa Palmer, in 1979 while attending the University of Maine, Orono. After receiving his BS in Plant and Soil Science, Rob joined the Peace Corps, became fluent in Spanish, and worked with small-scale farming projects in Guatemala. Upon returning to the United States, he held professional positions with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, PADCO (now AECOM), the Land Trust Alliance, and, most recently, with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Rob earned his MS in Urban Planning and The Environment from the University of Virginia while working full time. His most rewarding professional achievement was leading an outreach initiative to help nonprofit land trusts become more welcoming and inclusive of all audiences.

Rob and Lisa loved the outdoors and spent many weekends creating a backyard habitat that sustains a diversity of native species at their home in Arlington, Virginia. Rob's love of animals expanded to taking in neighborhood strays and broadened further to adopting animals in need of rescue. A favorite pastime of Rob's was writing limericks for his family and friends, who felt honored to be a subject of one of his bespoke rhymes. Rob enjoyed time spent with his nieces and nephews and cherished their interactions and adventures, learning much from them. He hiked extensively in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and loved vacationing in coastal Maine. He was a devoted practitioner of Iyengar Yoga, and mindfulness became a part of his daily interactions. Rob had a penchant for bringing people together, establishing order out of chaos, and making things right. Rob lived his life with an open heart, sending his smile into the world every day. He is greatly missed by his many family members and friends.

A celebration of Rob's life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, June 13 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, Rob would prefer a donation to be made to the organization of your choice, or

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club https://potomactrailclub.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate; or

National Brain Tumor Society https://secure.braintumor.org/site/Donation2?df_id=8626&8626.donation=form1