Robert L. Fallow '40
Deceased October 20, 1997
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In Memory
Bob Fallow, a Class of 1940 man of many talents and an original wit, died on October 20, 1997, after battling courageously against emphysema. At the time of his death, he lived in Union Bridge, MD.
Bob was born in West Hartford, CT, attending Hall High School where he was president of the student council and his senior class. An English major at Amherst, he belonged to Theta Delta Chi fraternity and served in his senior year as manager of the soccer team. He graduated cum laude.
After college, Bob was a journalist and served in the Marine Corps in World War II, attaining the rank of major. On leaving the service, Bob worked on the staff of the congressional watchdog committee overseeing the Marshall Plan. He then went to work for the CIA from which he retired in 1971. During his tenure, he served four years in London.
As Bob’s wife Suzanne puts it, “Then he discovered golf.” After retirement, he devoted much of his time to a game which was then new to him but which must have suited him perfectly, for it combines his enjoyment of comradeship with his abilities as an accomplished “gamesman.” I will never forget some of our ping pong games in the Theta Delt House; employing cunning, a deceptively laid back style, and some kind of special English he put on the ball, he always beat me, though I was convinced I was the better player. I should have realized right then that Bob Fallow was going to excel at anything he chose to do.
At college, Bob was much admired by those who knew him well. In addition to the above-mentioned spirit of friendly competition, he had a subtle sense of humor, a placid temperament and a loyalty to friends that was as strong as it was genuine. Somehow, he seemed more mature than the rest of us, though no one enjoyed a party more.
Bob and Suzanne were married for fifty-three years. He is also survived by four sons and a daughter. Our deepest condolences go out to all of them.
-Frederick Byrne
Published in Amherst magazine Winter 1998 edition.