Robert Payne Fox

Robert Payne Fox (Bob) of North Andover, MA passed away peacefully on October 15 at the age of 97 after a brief illness. Son of the late Arthur and Frances Fox of Wollaston, MA, he is survived by his wife, Dana Duxbury-Fox, , and two sons, Robert P. Fox, Jr., of Cambridge, MA, and Timothy B. Fox and his wife, Laura, of Scituate MA. He is also survived by his stepson Craig V. Duxbury of Orlando, FL, and his granddaughter Mia.

A graduate of Harvard College Class of 1950, Bob later earned graduate degrees including an M.S. from Trinity University (San Antonio) and an Ed.D. from Boston University. He was a lifelong educator, beginning his career as a science teacher at North Quincy High School before becoming Principal of Atlantic Junior High School in Quincy, MA, and eventually becoming Superintendent of Schools in Hanover, MA, a position he held for over thirty years. He is a Past President of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), an organization he continued to participate in until his death. He also was a Past President of the Massachusetts School Superintendents Association.

Following college, Bob served as an officer of the United States Air Force for two years (1952 -1954) in Texas and afterwards was in the Air Force Reserves until 1980 where he attained the rank of Colonel.

Bob was an avid birder for his entire adult life as a lifelong supporter of the South Shore Bird Club, Mass Audubon, and the American Birding Association. . He was also an active member of the Nuttall Ornithological Club for 65 years. He and his wife traveled the world to forty different countries in search of species to add to his impressive life list - 6,550 species. Bob co-authored the Birds of New Hampshire, a 100-year history of birds in that state.

Bob's other lifelong passion was as an avid gardener, notably rhododendrons and azaleas. This interest in rhododendrons led him to the Massachusetts Rhododendron Society of which he was also a Past President.

The consummate teacher, Bob, was involved in several summer camps in New Hampshire where he lent his organizational skills and love of nature to help develop generations of young people into caring adults.

Donations in his name may be sent to Mass Audubon or the American Birding Association. A celebration of Bob's life will be held sometime soon.