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Bringing to remembrance pleasant events
with classmates no longer here...
| Robert Edward Tierney - 12/25/33 - 10/17/08 |
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Robert Edward Tierney
No. 22148
Died in Carmel, CA
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Robert Edward Tierney died Friday night (10/17/08)
in his home in Carmel, CA of prostate cancer. Bob is survived by Sally
Masterson Tierney, his bride of fifty years, their four married children,
eleven grandchildren, and countless friends, whom he loved dearly.
Bob led an exciting and exemplary life, dedicated to service for his
country, family and friends.
An only child, raised in the Midwest, Bob's aspiration as a young
boy was to become a soldier statesman. In 1958 he graduated from the
United States Military Academy at West Point and began flight training.
He was a pilot in the Strategic Air Command during the Cuban Missile
Crisis and in 1965 he joined the Central Intelligence Agency where
he was awarded the Certificate of Distinction. Bob led a distinguished
career in the CIA serving his country in Laos, Singapore, Japan, and
ultimately in the U.S. Mission to the United Nations under Ambassador
Jeanne Kirkpatrick. Throughout, he earned a strong reputation for
integrity, independent thinking, and disciplined intelligence. As
one senior diplomat recalls with a smile "Bob was always the
one to ask the question that none of us wanted to answer..."
Bob was equally engaged and inquisitive with his family; at home his
favorite seat was at the family dinner table, where his probing inquiry
was balanced with wit, patience, and love.
During his career, Bob and Sally moved over fifteen times and engaged
in each community as if it were their hometown, setting roots and
"giving back." After retiring from government in 1983, Bob
and Sally moved from New York City to Camden, ME, where they opened
a family business, "The Maine Stay" Bed & Breakfast.
Gregarious by nature, a gifted conversationalist, and quick with a
(long) joke, Bob became a popular innkeeper and civic leader. He led
the Camden Economic Council and he created The Camden Conference,
a nationally renowned education and policy program focused on foreign
affairs, now in its twenty-second year. Bob was instrumental in the
development of the Institute for Global Ethics and, following the
suicide of a close friend, he co-founded the Depression Awareness
Program. Bob's ability to create institutions that continue to thrive
today derived from a unique balance of imagination and leadership,
optimism and discipline.
In 2000, Bob and Sally officially retired to Carmel, CA, to settle
in the home they had purchased in 1975, next door to Sally's parents.
The following year, Bob was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
Bob's enthusiasm for life and devotion to his faith, together with
the support of his outstanding doctors, sustained him and those surrounding
him for seven wonderful years.
With daily intent, Bob lived an authentic and prosperous life. He
served his country with honor abroad and at home. He helped to build
stronger communities. He delighted himself and others with his recreational
pursuits, as an adventurous sailor exploring Midcoast Maine, an outdoorsman
on weekly treks with his hiking club, and as an enthusiastic bass
singer in the Carmel Mission Choir.
Above all, Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
We will miss him dearly.
A Memorial Service celebrating Bob's life will be held on Thursday,
October 23, 2008 at the Carmel Mission Basilica. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer
Center (415.476.3952), the Big Sur Land Trust (831.625.5523) or Hospice
of Central Coast (831.649.7750). |
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