Robert Haskins Funk

f Robert Haskins Funk of Storrs, CT and Maui, HI died on April 28 at his home surrounded by his loving family. The cause of death was Lewy Body Disease. Born March 28, 1935 Scotland, CT to Arline (Haskins) and Bernard William Funk, Rob graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1953 and Wesleyan University in 1957 with a major in economics. He joined Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in 1957 where his work involved testing engine parts to determine the cause of metal failure. He earned his Master of Business Administration at the University of Connecticut in Hartford and subsequently transferred to the finance and then to the purchasing department. After 32 years with Pratt and Whitney, a company he loved, he retired in 1991 but returned shortly afterward as a consultant on special projects as a price negotiator for engine parts throughout the world included North and South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, and Egypt. An avid outdoorsman with a passion for travel and adventure, Rob joined the Appalachian Mountain Club in 1966 and was a very active member throughout his life. He started leading trips for the Connecticut chapter and gradually expanded to interchapter trips and then to leading major excursions throughout the world including the Galapagos, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Chile, Equator, Kenya, Tanzania, Poland, Hungary and the Anza Borrego Desert in California. He served on the Major Excursions committee for five years, on the August Camp committee for 17 years, was co-chair of the Connecticut chapter, and a long-time, highly skilled and beloved hike leader. He is survived by his wife Pam Lewis, a son Michael Robert Funk and his wife Kathleen Collins Funk of Ballston Spa, New York, a son Christopher Dwight Funk and his wife Madelene Pontius Funk of Wolcott CT, a son Daniel Anthony Funk and his wife Eileen McMahon Funk of Phoenix AZ, a daughter Melissa (Funk) Hall and her husband Henry David Hall o Farmington CT, a sister Clarissa Sinagulia of Las Vegas, NV, a step-son Lukas Casey of Bethesda MD, a step-son Joshua Casey of Framingham MA and eight grandchildren and step-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Rob's name be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA. 02108-1490 Attention of C. Cutler. A funeral celebration of Rob's extraordinary life will be held on May 12 at 10:00 AM at the Scotland Congregational Church, 4 Huntington Road, Scotland CT, followed by interment in the Scotland Cemetery and a reception. The Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic assisted with arrangements. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.