AACRAO mourns the loss of Dr. Bob Bontrager, who recently retired from his position as Senior Director of AACRAO Consulting and SEM Initiatives. Bob was a leader in SEM as an author, leader of the SEM conference for many years and the person responsible for the establishment and growth of AACRAO Consulting. He also had an extensive career at Arizona State, Eastern Mennonite and Oregon State Universities.
Bob passed away on October 17 and leaves behind his wife, Beth, and three adult children. The AACRAO community extends our deepest sympathy to them. His life and legacy of service were a model to us all and impacted the lives of countless thousands of students, administrators and faculty through his commitment to improving how colleges and universities worldwide think about and plan for enrollment and student success.
In a condolences letter from the Mexico higher education association ARSEE, president Miguel Angel Sanchez Ocampo wrote, "With deep sorrow we received the news our friend Bob Bontrager has passed away last Friday. ... No doubt, his departure is a great loss to AACRAO but also for all of us, who work for growth and advancing higher education in our different countries."
There will be 2 services:
1) Wednesday, October 22nd, Corvallis, Oregon - 7:00 pm.
The service will be casual and upbeat as Bob requested, with desserts served afterwards. Bob requested those speaking talk about a memory, no long sermons.
2) Saturday, November 22nd, Goshen, Indiana. Location to be announced. Many of the Indiana relatives and Goshen College community will be attending this service. All are welcome.
Bob's wife Beth has asked for those who wish to send flowers to send to the home address of: 2184 NW Kari Pl, Corvallis, OR 97330.
Donations in lieu of flowers are requested to either of the following:
1) Bob's wish was that donations be given to the Grand Canyon Association.https://www.grandcanyon.org/.
2) Beth and the Bontrager children were very touched by the possibility of a scholarship in Bob's name at Goshen College. She said if Bob knew about this he would have wanted donations to help students at Goshen. With Bob's role at the college and Bob, Beth and 2 of their 3 children as alumni, she said that Goshen will make it happen to have a scholarship in Bob's name.