by Molly Vincent |
Robert Butler, a beloved professor known to many students as “Coach Bob,” has retired after 12 years on The Bluff.
Butler, who turns 70 in a few months, has been preparing for retirement, which he began this semester, since he started teaching part-time last semester.
Butler has spent 42 years teaching and wanted a smooth transition to ease into retirement. Though he was sad to spend his last year at UP, he knows it is time to take a step back.
“I spend a lot of time trying not to think about it as my last year,” Butler said. “(But) human biology says you’re not going to be as skilled (when you’re older).”
On top of his contribution to UP, the National Association of Geoscience Teacher awarded Butler with the 2015 Neil Miner Award, which honors earth science contributors and is the nation’s top geoscience teaching award.
Over the past 12 years, Butler has made The Bluff his home.
Butler, who spent nearly 30 years at University of Arizona before coming to UP, has enjoyed working with smaller class sizes because of the opportunity to get to know his students personally.
“It’s all about the teaching and all about the students,” he said.
Junior Hannah Schoen, who had Environmental Hazards of the Pacific Northwest with Butler, enjoyed his engaging attitude.
“I liked him because he made science fun,” Schoen said.
Fellow environmental science professor Steve Kolmes says this passion is evident, as Butler is so clearly dedicated to his students, colleagues and friends.
Kolmes first met Butler while he was working at the University of Arizona as a University Distinguished Professor of Geoscience.
Once Butler joined the UP faculty, Kolmes joined him on one of his Earth Systems Science field trips to the Columbia River Gorge while Butler explained its geological history.
“It made you think you had been there for millenia while it all formed,” Kolmes said.
And while Butler may be leaving The Bluff, Kolmes believes this won’t stop him from teaching.
“Teaching is who he is, not what he does,” Kolmes said.
Butler said the energy of incoming freshman and returning students at UP’s lively campus made his experience nothing short of the best. And what Butler has gotten out of UP, he’s also put back in.
Six years ago, Butler helped establish environmental science as its own academic department.
His love for environmental science extends beyond the classroom.
“I’m a real outdoorsy person,” he said.
Butler looks forward to his time off so he can fully immerse himself in this love and enjoy hiking, traveling, fly fishing and revisiting Western U.S. national parks that he once saw as a kid.
“I can see them through a geologist’s eyes,” Butler said.
But UP will always be a rare place that holds space in his heart.
“UP is a pretty special place with a pretty special mission to educate the head and the heart,” Butler said.
Molly Vincent is a news reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at vincentm17@up.edu.
