Robert P. Hastey '49
Robert Patterson Hastey, Jr. of Lake Forest, IL, (1925-2006) passed away on September 24, 2006, after a three-year courageous battle with malignant melanoma. Bob participated in some innovative treatments and clinical trials, hoping if not to be cured himself, that others might benefit from his experiences.
Bob was born in Chicago and grew up in the Kenwood section of the city, where he attended the Harvard School for Boys. He attended Amherst briefly after graduation before serving in the US Army for over two years during World War II. Bob returned to the “Fairest” in 1946 and graduated with the Class of 1949 in June of that year. At Amherst, Bob was an active member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, where he roomed with John Dieffenderfer and Jim Corrigan. Socially he spent a good deal of time at Mount Holyoke College.
Following Amherst, Bob went on to attend Thunderbird International in Glendale, AZ. Having majored in geography (one of a very few) at Amherst and traveling extensively in his youth, it was fitting his business career was with Rand McNally, where his served for thirty-two years in sales and sales management. During this time Bob married Marguerite (Peggy) Kerber of Highland Park, IL, in 1956. They lived in Evanston and Glencoe, IL, with their two children, Meg and Rob III. Peggy succumbed to Huntington’s Chorea in 1982. Bob retired as a district manager for Rand McNally to indulge his love of golf and the fellowship of many friends, both in Illinois and during the winter in Florida.
Bob Hastey is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Pantellis Hasty of Lake Forest; his son, Rob, of Denver, CO; his daughter, Meg Ryan, of Louisville, CO; his granddaughter, Emily Ryan; as well as his supportive friends at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park, IL, where he held membership for fifty-five years.
—Jim Corrigan ’49