About Bob
Robert A. Pitts was born on May 3, 1937 to Spencer and Alice Pitts, in Cleveland, Ohio and passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 16, 2023.
Bob grew up in Monmouth County, New Jersey, along the Navesink River, near the Atlantic seashore.
Bob graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1955, received a bachelor degree from Yale University in 1960, served in the Peace Corps in Thailand from 1962-1963, received a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University in 1966, and earned a Doctorate of Business Administration from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration in 1972.
While at Harvard, Bob was introduced to Calista Kimball, of Elmira New York, a charming young widow with two young children, Ann and James. Bob and Calista were married in 1971 and Calista gave birth to son Robert in 1975.
In 1972 Bob joined the faculty of Pennsylvania State University's College of Business Administration, as a professor, where he remained for 14 years. During this time, he was also a visiting professor at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1979 and at Boise State University in Idaho in 1986. From 1987 to 1997 he was a professor of Business Management at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. During his career, Bob received teaching awards and authored numerous articles published by peer-reviewed journals, including the Harvard Business Review, as well as a popular text book on Strategic Management.
After retiring, Bob and Calista returned to Boise, where daughter Ann and son James resided, and where he enjoyed hiking, biking, rafting, and especially skiing at Bogus Basin with the Prime Time men's group. Bob also sang as a tenor in the Boise Master Chorale for 18 years.
Bob was a donor and contributor to many educational, environmental, and performing arts institutions including Boise State University, the Nature Conservancy, the Morrison Center, the Boise Baroque Orchestra (where he also served on the board), and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
While struggling with ALS during his last few years, Bob maintained an active lifestyle and cherished relationships with his family and friends. Bob and his family appreciate the encouragement and kindness offered by The Terraces of Boise, his doctors, and so many other caring and loving people.
Bob is survived by his daughter Ann K. Lee of Boise, sons James K. Buffalin of Boise and Robert K. Pitts of Washington D.C., grandchildren Allison Morgan and Natalie and Joseph Buffalin of Boise, dear friend Judy Ellis of Boise, brother John Pitts of Sarasota, Florida, sister Betsy Betts of Windsor, California, and many treasured nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Calista Buffalin Pitts (2013) and his brother Edward Parker Pitts (2011).