Colorado State University Professor Robin Michael Reich died Sunday, January 3, in Loveland, after a seven month battle with cancer.
Robin was born in Bayreuth, Germany, on October 24, 1954. At six months of age Robin was adopted by Rudolph Maximillian Reich and Edna Roquemore Reich. Robin’s father, Rudolph, was a captain for the U.S. Army and served as a spy in Germany during WWII where he was stationed. Shortly after Robin’s adoption, his parents moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where Robin spent his childhood with his adoptive parents and brother residing on military bases.
During Robin’s senior year in high school he was expelled for having long hair and had to achieve his diploma at a continuing education school. While attending this school, Robin took a career aptitude test, where he failed miserably on the subject of mathematics. Robin was told by the school counselor to never enter into a math related career.
After high school Robin attended the University of Florida where he obtained his B.S. in forest science and is M.S. and PhD in forest bio-metrics. During this time Robin worked at a lumber yard. When not attending class or working, Robin spent most of his free time camping and enjoying the outdoors.
In 1985 Robin moved to Fort Collins where he began his career as a professor at Colorado State University. During his career at CSU he taught forest bio-metrics, natural resource sampling and spatial statistical modeling of natural resources. Robin made significant advancement with the development and application of spatial statistics in natural resources and influenced analytical approaches that are enduring, through his students and peers, and will continue to contribute to society.
When Robin was not deriving complicated equations he could often be found helping his students. Robin had genuine concern for his students’ learning, success and personal well being. When students needed support Robin was there for them. Office hours never existed, he always had time for questions.
Robin’s research spanned a vast array of subjects and techniques. He produced more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and has acquired close to 1000 citations of his work. Research topics ranged from species distribution and abundance modeling, precision agricultural modeling, plant entomological disease modeling, climate modeling, vegetation modeling, forest inventory and monitoring, and the economic impacts of smoke-free bars and restaurants.
Robin’s work impacted people across the globe. His research and expertise took him to Vietnam, Mexico, India, Poland, China, and the United States. Robin is survived by his close friends Vanesa Bravo, John Lundquist, Bill Jacobi and Doug Rideout.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, at Goes Funeral Care & Crematory, 3665 Canal Drive #E, Fort Collins. Robin’s close friend, Duane Polle, will deliver the eulogy.
“Yes, we have to divide up our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever.” ~Albert Einstein
