Robert Frost, University of Michigan professor and great-grandson of the poet, dies after lengthy battle with cancer
Robert Frost, great-grandson of poet Robert Frost, and an associate professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan, died Saturday after a lengthy battle with cancer, the university said.
Robert Frost and Margaret Hedstrom
U-M photo
Dean Jeff MacKie-Mason, in a letter to the school's faculty, said, "Bob was passionate about teaching, about his students, and about our School. He insisted on continuing to teach a full load, and even developed new courses during his illness.”
Frost, who once said he "was not a big fan" of his great-grandfather's poetry, and his wife, Margaret Hedstrom, associate dean for academic programs at the School of Information, established the Frost Open Access Fund by donating the royalties Frost received from the works of his great-grandfather. The fund supports innovative projects using open source software, or that study or promote the open access movement. The fund also honor's Frost's friend and colleague Olivia Frost, SI’s former interim dean and professor emerita, the university said.
Comments
dan
Sun, Nov 13, 2011 : 12:10 p.m.
I am deeply saddened to learn of Bob's passsing. I have known him off and on since he was a teenager in Panama City. I also knew his family. He was bright creative and had a wonderful sense of humor, as well as an diverse appreciation for music. He was much too young to have left what I am sure was a very productive academic career. Bob will be missed by many. Dan Roberts
Steve Hendel
Tue, Mar 29, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.
A nice story, and I don't think the references to (poet) Frost were excessive; there probably wouldn't even have been a story if not for the familial connection. Anyway, I thought the reference to (professor) Frost's negative opinion of (poet) Frost's work was gratuitous.
stackrat
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
ArgoC--you are so right--Bob deserves much better than to simply be associated with the family legacy. I am glad that there are people who recognize that and will remember him fondly. Bob was a bright spot at SI. Two years of my life that felt like an uphill and unwinnable battle was made easier--and often, dare I say, enjoyable?--by my friendship with him.
ArgoC
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
AAdotCom - Can't you devote most of the space to the man and have less space devoted to who he's distantly related to? I'll bet that really bugged him in life and it still overshadows him in death. Professor Frost - goodbye, you were an influence and inspiration to students here.
average joe
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
Ok- I've read the story three times & I don't agree with your first statement. Other than his opinion of his great grandfather's work & one mention of his famous relative in the first sentence, the rest of the article is all about Prof. Frost.
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Mar 28, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
Robert Frost was a great colleague and an otherwise forgettable school. He will be missed.