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Robert (Bob) Kittredge passed away on October 16, 2022 at the age of 94. He was born on January 18, 1928 in Westford, Vermont. Lack of jobs in Vermont during the Great Depression led his parents to move the family to upstate New York to seek work. His parents found positions at Marcy State Hospital where they worked 6 days a week. During this time, at a young age, he and his brother Ralph were boarded out with local couples in small towns nearby. Bob’s parents didn’t go to college and he never gave post-secondary education serious consideration. But, his high school counselor told him he had too much potential not to pursue his education further and urged him to attend Albany State. Bob found himself at State University of New York (SUNY) Albany and graduated with degrees in Science and English. After graduation he taught school for a year and then enlisted in the Air Force. After training, which included Russian Language school, Bob served as a Language Intelligence Officer at Wahnerheide in the British Zone of Germany. This is where he met his future wife Diana on a blind date. Bob and Diana were married in England in July 1955. The happy couple returned to the States, and Bob continued to serve in the AF Ready Reserve, reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel by the time he retired from the AF in 1980. Bob had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and continued his education, receiving a Masters and Ph.D. in Education and Counseling Psychology from Michigan State. Of course, Diana was there for the adventure and both Dawne and David were born during this time. The family then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Bob worked in the Counseling Center at UNLV from 1960-64. Paul and Susan were born in Las Vegas. In 1965, with four children in tow, they moved to San Diego, where he worked at Cal. Western University for 3 years. Bob then accepted a position at Wayne State University in Detroit. Diana was not a fan of the cold and gave Bob the option of staying in Michigan, without her, or moving to warmer climes with her and the family. Wisely, Bob chose the latter and the family put down roots in Fresno in 1969, where Bob took a position at CSU Fresno as a Student Affairs Officer and served in the Counseling and Psychological Services Center until he retired in 1992. Bob was renowned for his heart and passion for service and justice. He was a regular volunteer at Stone Soup Fresno from its inception in 1992, serving as President, Vice President and later as a member of the Board. He led the Students for Community Service program between 1992-94. He was an active member of North Fresno Rotary, St. James Episcopal Cathedral, and Poverello House. In their later years, Bob and Diana moved to the Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens (TSJG) in Fresno. Bob’s love of life and engagement shined through there as well. Bob helped welcome newcomers to the community; he knew all the staff and most of the residents by name. Bob enthusiastically helped organize and lead the Current Issues group, bringing in local speakers to talk to residents about current events. He even made this possible over Zoom during the height of COVID. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Diana and their dear son David. He is survived by his children all living in California; Dawne Kittredge-Crist of Pleasanton, Paul Kittredge (wife Janice), of Walnut Creek and Susan Kittredge Cooper of San Diego. He also has 6 grandchildren and 9 great children who absolutely adore him and will miss him dearly. His family will remember him in big and small ways- his constant whistling, his singing of tunes throughout the day, his daily reading of the newspaper, playing card games and cribbage, his morning Thai Chi and meditation, his hilarious and creative family reunion puppet shows, his vast love and grace, and so much more. He was truly one of a kind. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 1:30 pm at St. James Episcopal Cathedral, Fresno, California. Reception will follow in the Tolladay Theater at the Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Stone Soup Fresno or Poverello House.

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Robert Kittredge Ph.D.

January 28, 1928 - October 16, 2022