I asked Bob once why he always wore Winnie the Pooh and Disney ties.  He said, well how can someone not smile and enjoy talking to someone wearing a Winnie the Pooh tie.  So true of Bob...he knew how to make us all smile, even if it was in as something as simple as the tie he chose to wear.  Brad and I will miss you Bob, your poetry, your woodworking, your love of all things Rose and Milton but most of all, just you.  

I was lucky enough to see more than one side of Bob. As Associate Producer on "Free to Choose" I saw the business person - always moving around - a whirlwind of energy; for all his life he never stopped cajoling funders, persuading supporters, explaining to all who would listen to think about freedom and its virtues. The tote bag slung around his shoulders, the ready smile, the gentle demeanour, and the "mutton chop" whiskers that at times, to a Brit, made him look like some wayward early-Victorian Yorkshire farmer.

But there was another personal side that I was lucky enough to share as we got to know each other. I once went to his house in McLean, PA early in the morning. There was snow on the ground and it ten degrees below freezing. I found him out in his back yard splitting logs - by hand - working up a good glow. He was (typically) enthusiastic to find out that I could split a log too (full disclosure, my family owned a fencing timber company in Scotland so I know  how to swing a 14lb mallet) and we shared a bit of sweaty effort for ten minutes. By then, I was then well knackered, and only then did he reveal that he had already been for a ten mile run, but cut it short to chop some lumber because he couldn't keep up his usual pace on the ice and snow!  I actually think he would have kept chopping for a while, but being well-mannered and kind, as he always was, he took me indoors for a chat.

His energy was matched by two other constants of his approach to life:  humility and courage. I mention those because Milton Friedman once told me that those two virtues were markers for what a good classical liberal economist should adopt.  I think that may explain the life-long connection they made with each other. Bob may not have been a professional economist, but by golly he was a professional communicator. He did take an uncommon path, but he was humble about what he might be able to achieve, while endlessly courageous in using his enormous energy to champion liberty, the discussion of ideas in an objective way and asking everyone, especially the young, to think about their luck in living in a society where they are still generally free to choose - and defend that legacy.

 How wonderful that his Foundation willcontinue - that work is vital, once again we appear to be facing the threat of bad ideas taking precedence over the virtues of individual liberty and the freedom to choose. We must explain and re-explain those virtues - with all of our energy, 

I met Bob at a Pacific Research Institute immigration conference in San Francisco, I think in 1994. Rose Friedman was a speaker along with Steve Moore, I think P.T. Bauer and others. Immigration reform was the national debate topic and I had okay to videotape talks and later offer (VHS) tapes to debate clubs. Bob was there videotaping too and offered sound advice ("sound is always the problem"). My recordings were terrible and Bob offered his as masters. Over the years I enjoying talking to Bob at conferences and once attended the Winning Ideas Weekend. I've shown segments from Free to Choose Network videos at over a hundred workshops for high school and homeschool debate students. Beautiful, engaging, and inspiring stories of informal institutions, economic freedom, and the desire for prosperity.

Bob was his own man...in many ways.  He was so well read, and I always enjoyed longer car rides with him where we could talk about life and philosophy.  He will be missed by Maureen and me, and by many others no doubt.  He left his mark on the world.  My deepest sympathies to Carol and his entire family.

Bob was a great leader. He inspired in me a desire to make him proud and was a model of drive and charisma. I'm so glad I had a chance to stay at Capitaph with him and a small team he had assembled as he rallied towards yet another wonderful project. He started each day, as he often did, with a poem. Later in the trip he wore a single action revolver low on his thigh, cowboy style, and took us all out to the woods for some target shooting. He was a truly unique character who I'll always remember with a smile. 

It was an honor to welcome Dr. Chitester into the Northwood Family. In the middle of a pandemic, he was gracious to come to campus to receive his doctorate and spend two days speaking with faculty, staff, students and guests. Northwood University will continue to honor his legacy by way of promoting and collaborating with the Free to Choose network.  Rest In Peace Bob.  

I can remember my first goal – to succeed at having the job beyond five years. According to the staff at the station, that’s the longest Bob had a secretary at the time.

I have so many memorable moments that started nearly 40 years ago with my interview with Bob and John Adams at West 20th Street offices. He had the project “War Called Peace” table – which by size definitely had us social distancing then. We talked about hunting, working on motors, sports of my interest, our family business. He never asked if I could type, write, do short-hand, spell, or read an OAG. It was the first of many non-traditional approaches in our evolution. When I applied for the job, I was leaving our family business. Little did I know I was joining another family business.

I can’t possibly weave through all the projects we did or reminisce about all the peaks and valleys we went through, both personal and professional, but no day was the same. There have always been challenges to tackle. I still learn new things. I’ve had experiences and opportunities I would not have had otherwise. I’ve met people I’d never would have – including Milton and Rose. Through it all, Bob was a great boss, a teacher, a student (at times), a colleague, and a friend to my family and me.

Bob would say it was my willingness to go with the flow, learn, adapt, and lead that made all the difference; that without me, our history would have been significantly different. He always pushed the envelope and was steps ahead on ideas, topics, even pushing us on technology, and I liked the challenge. This perfect job served us equally – with all the varied things we did over the years.

The journey has been an interesting and exhilarating ride… with nothing either of us envisioned. I’ve enjoyed the ride and all that came with it, and I know the team we’ve assembled will prosper from Bob’s foundation as we continue his fight for freedom at Free To Choose Network.

Tara

Bob Chitester was one of the special ones. His tenacity and vision for Free To Choose along with Milton Friedman will live long into the future. He will truly never be forgotten, because of the lasting impact in all that he touched in people's lives. RIP...