Robert Arthur Ackerman

Born in Buffalo, New York and raised in Medford, Massachusetts, died April 23, 2014 at his home in Washington, DC. Bob is survived by his sons Eric (Ginger) and Konrad; former wife Helen; grandchildren Louis (Marsi) and Lenore; and great grandson, Rustyn. A member of the Greatest Generation, Bob served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, then attended Columbia Law School, and enlisted in the cold war as a case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency. That service took him first to Norway, then to Berlin, Germany, and finally to Taipei. Taiwan! During the 1960's he moved to the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, where he participated in many prosecutions of the KKK. Retiring from the federal government in the early 70's, Bob devoted himself to private law practice, including helping those of limited means. He was active in the alumni affairs of Tufts and Columbia Universities, mentoring young graduates and maintaining an ongoing interest in the lives of these institutions. He valued intellectual integrity as among the highest ideals.