91探花

David Asai

Faculty colleague; fellow Caltech alum

Susie and Bob helped me get through some tough times one summer. While I was wrapped up in my personal woes, they were always there for me鈥�.to listen, to talk, never to judge or preach. Incredibly generous of their time.

That year, Bob and I had great fun in the wine tasting class at the LA County Fair. We sat there tasting the samples and declaring our deep insights about the bouquet and legs, the terroir and whether the wine was forward or coy. We knew very little and we knew we knew very little鈥�.and so it was good fun and a way to distract me and cheer me up for a short while.

To our great benefit, Susie was a volunteer at the wine judging event. Like Eddie in Steinbeck鈥檚 Cannery Row, Susie brought home the remains of many bottles. I don鈥檛 think Susie actually concocted a 鈥減unch鈥� by mixing all of the leftovers together as Eddie would have, but her gifts made for a fun evening where we sat in the Cave鈥檚 back yard imbibing mysterious things.

And then there was The Cribbage Game. I assume many of the readers might have heard Bob鈥檚 version of this epic event. Here鈥檚 the truth: At the time, Bob was Dean ensconced in his office on the top floor of Sprague. One day鈥攊t might have been a weekend or a holiday because no one else was there鈥攈e invited me up so that we could complete together the mandatory online anti-harassment training鈥�..and play a game of cribbage. I don鈥檛 really know much about cribbage, having only played it in Boy Scout summer camp many years before. Bob was the pro鈥�.he talked a good game, he had a board, and he knew how to play. But that day, in the one and only game we played, and the one and only game I鈥檝e played in decades, I beat Bob. Didn鈥檛 just beat him. Didn鈥檛 just skunk him. I DOUBLE-skunked him. Whether or not he let me win that day, it was another example of Bob鈥檚 incredible selflessness and generosity.

Many years later, when Bob was a rotator at the NSF, Jeanne and I invited him to join us at a Nationals baseball game. We managed to get seats in the club area where the food is part of the deal. Even though the Yankees were not playing the Nats that day, Bob really enjoyed himself. Especially the hot dogs. When, in our typical LA fashion, Jeanne and I decided to depart around the seventh or eighth inning to beat the traffic, Bob asked if he could remain. Of course! My last memory of that day was to turn around and look back at Bob, happily engrossed in the game and with two more hot dogs on his plate.

I will miss Bob鈥檚 laugh and his friendship, his humility and his wisdom. I will miss sending him my annual birthday greeting on D-Day, and I will miss his inevitable reply that he is sorry that he forgot my birthday the day before his, knowing full well that my birthday is actually the day after his. Oh my stars! I will mis Bob Cave. Oh my stars, I am a better person for having known him.

Thomas Bleakney 鈥�69

Friend

Well serving as dean of faculty Bob brought in some of the most amazing speakers for the fall lecture series that I鈥檝e ever heard.

Despite his busy schedule he arranged to have lunch with me several times a year which was always a treat.

Once during an informal public discussion on climate, he turned to me and asked a question about climate chemistry. I was thrilled and honored because I knew the answer.

Steve Adolph

Colleague and friend

I treasure all the years that I worked with Bob when he was Dean and on committees. When I think of him I also remember the little things, like running into him at a Van Morrison concert. When our respective colleges played in the Rose Bowl we had a friendly bet that the loser had to wear the other team鈥檚 sweatshirt on the first day of spring semester. My college lost, but then Bob insisted on sparing me the indignity of wearing Michigan State apparel all day. He also brought a playful spirit to otherwise serious business, such as the time he and I sneaked a Grateful Dead reference into our formal promotion letter for our colleague Jon Jacobsen. While I miss Bob a lot, I try to focus on these happy memories.

Lelia Hawkins

Colleague

We miss you dearly, Bob. The department isn’t the same without you. It was Bob who got to offer me the position at HMC, and it was the beginning of my coming to understand him as someone who consistently made you feel good for just existing, even if that made his job (as dean, or fellow faculty member) harder. It is for this reason that I always peeked at his door when I walked by his office, just to see if he was there for a quick hello. He was caring and supportive, but also knew when his voice was most needed, in difficult times. I would be so grateful for one more day with him, one more laugh.

Eugene Wu 鈥�98

Student

I always wanted to be Dr. Cave when I grew up. He was a magnificent teacher with a booming voice and a hearty laugh. Maybe I didn’t do too great in GQ&S, but I enjoyed every class with Dr. Cave. Even though Statistical Thermodynamics wasn’t required for the burgeoning “Emphasis in Biochemistry” concentration, I asked take it with Dr. Cave as an independent study. It was a great experience to talk science one on one with him. Only now that I’m a professor at a liberal arts college myself do I understand the time commitment he gave for one insignificant student. Well that student came back to interview for a job at Mudd a decade later while he was in the Dean’s Office. There’s nothing quite like interviewing at your alma mater with professors you looked up to for years. Dr. Cave put me right at ease, telling me to call him “Bob”, not Professor Cave or Dean Cave. I am honored to have known him as a student and to have called him Bob.

Dave Vosburg

Colleague

Every conversation with Bob was a wonderful one, whether it was about chemistry, San Biagio’s pizza, Mountain Dew, sports, or faith. He was always so encouraging. When I interviewed at Mudd in 2004, we had breakfast and then talked about chemistry and life while walking through the Scripps campus. I suggested that he introduce his sons to the board game Settlers of Catan, and that became a big hit in his home that winter.
I have grieved for you, but I will see you again and rejoice, and no one can take away that joy.

Amy Marcus-Newhall

Decanal Colleague

Bob was a force on the Academic Deans Committee (ADC). More importantly, he was a mentor. He wanted the best for Mudd, the for the Claremonts, and the best for me. He was always there to answer a question or provide support. I will remember his infectious smile and positivity forever. I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to work with Bob on the ADC and that I grew professionally and personally by interacting with him. You are sorely missed.

Kay Schimanski Swartwood 鈥�92

Student

I was one of those students that rocked high school chemistry only to find myself very much struggling with freshman chemistry at Mudd. I took advantage of Professor Cave’s generous office hours many, many times that year. He was always so encouraging and helpful and joyful, and he helped me pass chemistry! He and I arrived at Mudd at about the same time. I’m so glad to learn that he was there for so much of his illustrious career – what a blessing for HMC!

Thyra Briggs

Colleague

I have saved an email of a PDF that Bob sent me, and I read it whenever I’m doubting myself. He had the most amazing ability to ensure that everyone with whom he interacted knew he was giving them his full attention and that he cared deeply about them. His humor and warmth are deservedly legendary. I take comfort in remembering his love of music, his homemade lunches, and of course, his laugh. What Would Bob Cave Do is a good guide for life.

Peter Osgood

Friend, administration, admirer

Bob represented to me the heart of Mudd. I thank him and feel blessed that I witnessed his deep concern for people, his generosity, his passion, and his loyalty to the community and mission of the College. Bob was deeply influential to me not only as I navigated Mudd as an administrator, but in his life as parent, church member and coach of our respective sons’ youth soccer team. Bob will always be iconic to me helping me to see the best in ourselves. I miss him terribly. It is now for us to live up to the standards he established.