Robert F. Aldrich

Robert F. Aldrich obituary, Arlington, VA

Robert F. Aldrich

Robert Aldrich Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 13, 2024.
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

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Robert Aldrich's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 3, 2025

Brian Earley posted to the memorial.

June 20, 2024

Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis posted to the memorial.

June 11, 2024

Danielle Gerber posted to the memorial.

Brian Earley

March 3, 2025

I recall I met Rob in Boy Scouts and we remained friends throughout high school and college, I traveled to see him working in the Peace Corps in Guatemala. I knew his family very well, and stay in touch. Rob had a good intellect and sense of humor. I miss you and your antics!

Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis

June 20, 2024

I knew Rob through the land trust community. We spent a lot of time together on a learning journey in 2015 and 2016. I am most appreciative of Rob's efforts to bring community conservation to the broader land trust community and advocating for more diverse inclusion in the conservation sector. Rob made incredible contributions through his service. I was very sorry to hear of his passing and I wish his family peace and comfort during this most challenging time.

Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis
President & CEO
Big Sur Land Trust

Danielle Gerber

June 11, 2024

Rob was an amazing neighbor. I will never forget his kindness and how he immediately jumped into action with his chainsaw when a giant tree fell in our yard.

Lisa - we are so very sorry for your loss. We will make a donation in Rob´s name to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.

Danielle, Scott, Max and Henry Gerber

George Neighbors

June 6, 2024

I worked with Rob at PATC when I served on the Council.

He led with enthusiasm, "yes, and" attitude, and patience. He found a way to laugh, learn and carry on despite challenges to his ideas rightful authority and unique way that the Council engages staff.

He deeply respected those around him - on the team and members/ leaders of the Club.

From my time before, serving with and after I left the Council, Rob was a trusted colleague, treasured friend, and insightful partner. We liked to nerd out about nonprofits, problem solve, talk about hikes and laugh at human nature.

My heart goes out to his loved ones, and I miss him dearly. I was trying to recruit him (again and again) to move to the Shenandoah Valley so we could hang out more.

I miss him deeply.

With love, admiration and honor,
George Neighbors

Jeffrey Smith

May 26, 2024

I met Rob back in 1979, he was in the dorm room next door to me at UMaine. Over the next 4 years we shared so much, jokes (I still share ones that I learned from him), frat parties, community service, concerts, Moody Blues (he could remember verses better than most), cribbage, jumping into the Penobscot River when it was 50 degrees, Pats Pizza, so much. He was my Big Brother at Kappa Sigma, he was great friend, he was someone I will never forget. We kept in touch over the years, while he was in Peace Corps, moving out west with the USDA and finally in DC. We last saw each other 10 years ago, it was like we never were apart. My daughter now lives in DC, I was writing him last fall about catching up once more. Yeah, he made me smile, made me laugh, made a better person. Love you Rubba!

Loretta Heuer

May 17, 2024

Rob was a 12 yrs old when we moved next door to the Aldrich family in Holliston in 1974. An 8-kid crazy-fun bunch.The Aldrich's had a major influence on our lives as new parents. Treat your kids as individuals, brilliant, and kind. Quite a model to aspire to! As a teenager Rob and his dad Jack would go to Guatemala, bringing brown paper shopping bags full of clothes for folks who needed them A great learning experience that impacted Rob's life: social justice and how science could impact poverty. The obituary mentioned Rob's nieces and nephews. They are his Aldrich family legacy. Each one a brilliant, creative, caring, down-to-earth individual. And crazy-fun. :-) In 5 words: Rob Was A Good Person.

Reed Moyer

May 15, 2024

From the time we met in the Peace Corps until our last lunch together, Rob (Shrob, as we call him) was a joy to be with. His playful grin, his quick wit, his off-color jokes and his genuine care for others and the world made him a special person and a dear friend to many.
At our last lunch he told us how he was working on not feeling like he had to convince people that he was right, and that letting go of negativity, instead of clinging to it, was a better path forward. These are words of wisdom I´ve worked on since that day and will keep with me forever - along with his gentle spirit, humor, caring approach and that wonderful smile. I miss you dearly buddy.

Linette Howard

May 15, 2024

Rob was and has always been a solid good guy with a heart for people. When we worked at LTA together he never let whatever was happening around him change who he was on the inside, because he was driven and determined to do what God called him here to do, and that was to be a Peacemaker. And that he was. Always cheerful and optimistic, even when he wasn't having such a good day himself, he never let that stop him from offering a smile or some kind words of hope to someone else. He will always be remembered as a Great Friend to me and my late Husband. Rest In Peace Friend.

May God provide comfort and peace for his family and friends during this time.

Barton James

May 14, 2024

Deepest condolences to Rob´s family. It was a pleasure working with Rob at LTA. Is passion for the mission/conservation made him an impressive advocate capturing and marketing the important work of LTA´s members. The world is a better place because of Rob.

Patricia Pleasants

May 14, 2024

It was a beginning when I met Rob and Lisa. We began our first Iyengar yoga class on the same day...level 1, to learn, observe and feel...once a week - Sunday morning- an awakening time. Since we were the "beginners" we were usually given a "space" or the same part of the wall for our supported asanas , so that Maggie (our teacher (((an exceptional teacher, who reached us and was so real))) could focus and give us expert attention.
We´d often chat in the yoga space and I learned that they had an outlook on life that felt so close to mine.
Often, changes in myself were reflected in how their asanas randomly grew strong and more perfected as they sat or stood beside me.
I remember always,
Rob´s smile,
Super happy attitude,
& passion for the earth and science and life...Lisa, his complete complement and I can only picture them together in my thoughts.
I´m very thankful
and very sorry for this loss.

Robert Bailey

May 14, 2024

I met Rob in the Peace Corps. He was a good friend and a good volunteer. What I remember most about Rob is he could make me laugh.

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Sign Robert Aldrich's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 3, 2025

Brian Earley posted to the memorial.

June 20, 2024

Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis posted to the memorial.

June 11, 2024

Danielle Gerber posted to the memorial.