In Celebration of Robert John Drabek

By Roxie L. Catts

5/9/2022

It is my honor to have been invited to share some of my thoughts about Robert Drabek with you today, two years since his passing. My regret is that I’m not able to deliver these thoughts in person. Please know that I join you in spirit today as we remember Robert, celebrate his life, and give testimony to the outstanding human being that he was.

I first met Robert in 1989 when I joined the Department of Computer Science at the University of Arizona as their first professional academic advisor. He was a quiet and kind person who I knew right away I wanted to get to know. No one really knew what my role was in the department, and Robert’s support and friendship helped show me the way.

It was obvious that students had a very high regard for Robert. Why? Not only was he an outstanding teacher, it was clear to anyone even casually observing him that he genuinely cared for his students. Yes, he wanted them to understand the course material, but he was also aware that they had multifaceted lives that could impact their work in his class. Students knew that he had their backs. One could easily mistake him for the Pied Piper as he always had a number of students following behind him as he made his way from class back to his office. Students were never shy about hanging out in his office. I doubt he ever had alone time when he was on campus.

To know Robert was to also know Elliott and Yan for he talked about each of them all the time. I got to know them and love them through Robert’s beautiful descriptions of each. I think Elliott graduated from high school about the time I got to know Robert, and I’ll admit he shared some concern with me when Elliott’s interesting journey in life did not lead him directly to college right out of high school. To this I say, Good for Elliott!! And, besides, we all know Elliott has written his own remarkable story in life.

Although our time working together only spanned 4 years, we really developed a warm friendship. My husband, Brian, and I became a fan of Yan’s charming wit, gracious hospitality, and amazing meals she prepared. I still have a spiral-bound cookbook of some of her favorite recipes.

One of my favorite memories of our time working together is a summer camp Robert and I created called Computer Capers. The idea was to inspire middle school students from underrepresented populations in the sciences to get excited about coming on campus and learning something about computer science. We arranged for all sorts of cutting-edge fun activities on campus and ran the program for several years. Hopefully we sparked an interest in at least a few of our campers to continue to college and consider science.

Robert and I talked about many things ranging from family to politics to views on life. He loved coyotes which probably gives rise to his passion for the beloved dogs in his life. I can never see a coyote that I don’t think of Robert.

I once told him I wanted the Stairway to Heaven to be played at my memorial service and so he made a montage of various musicians playing just that song including the chipmunks! This was so long ago that it is a cassette tape which I still have to this day.

Once he told me that when we first met he knew we were going to be friends because he hadn’t heard anyone use the word “cool” for years! That was the first time I realized I was still using it. Cool!

In addition to my regret of not being here today to be with you all and to embrace Yan and Elliott, I am also regretful that I didn’t stay in better touch over these last several years. I am left now to be grateful that I at least had the chance to get to know Robert when I did. I count him as one of my few best friends. I know for certain that if the world had more Robert Drabeks it would be a far better world.

In closing I’d like to share a few snippets from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran.

On Friendship

When your friend speaks of his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay”.

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend you grieve not;

For that which you love lost in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

On Death

For life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one.

…….

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

We all know that Robert had the deepest love and respect for his wife, Yan, and his son, Elliott. This is the mark of a truly wonderful man and a fine human being! We celebrate you and your life Mr. Robert John Drabek!