Robert Geran Landen

Robert Geran Landen was born on July 13, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts, and passed away on September 10, 2026 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Robert, also known as Bob, Geat, Grampy, Gampy and He-He, was the middle son of Harry James and Evelyn Geran Landen. He was married to Patricia (Tricia) Kizzia Landen for 68 years at the time of his passing at the age of 96.

Robert was a 1948 graduate of Watertown High School in Watertown, Massachusetts, where he was on the state championship track team. Robert & his relay team were inducted into the high school Hall of Fame for track. Robert graduated with a B.A. in History from the College of William and Mary in 1952, where he was a hurdler and a triple jumper on the track team. He received a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern History from Princeton University in 1961.

Robert served in the U.S. Army in military intelligence at the Pentagon after the Korean War. Robert was a world-renowned history professor and college administrator at Ball State, University of Michigan, Dartmouth, Virginia Tech, University of South Carolina, University of Texas at Arlington, Montevallo and University of Tennessee, retiring to Williamsburg in 1995. His influential book, Oman since 1856, has been a key part of Middle Eastern history courses around the world.

Robert and Tricia travelled the world together, spending extensive time in England and the Middle East. He was an avid reader who had a unique historical library. He loved the Outer Banks and the beautiful beach house he built and decorated with Tricia. He enjoyed walking on the beach, looking for ghost crabs and bird watching. He bought the property in 1969 and enjoyed many years of family vacations there. He also enjoyed visits to his in-laws’ home in Tryon, NC and his parents’ home in New Jersey. Robert was an animal lover and his own pets, Duchess, Lucy, Coco, Cosita, and Wardley were treated like royalty. Robert was also a talented artist. He was well known among the family as being an exceptionally fun and goofy person, known for his “chin socks”, pranks, laughter and personality.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Harry (Bud) and Edward (Ted).

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, of Williamsburg, Virginia. He is also survived by his sons, Michael Landen (Jenny) of Williamsburg, Virginia, Robert Landen (Lisa) of Fresno, California and his daughters, Jill Landen of Southern Shores, North Carolina and Amy Broocke (Dave) of Richmond, Virginia. He is further survived by eight grandchildren: Katie, Geran, Jenna, Aidan, Tori, Kristen, Landen and Nate, along with many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends who will forever cherish his memory and know that he will love them forever.

Robert's deep devotion to his Catholic faith was reflected in how he lived his life, and his family now takes solace in knowing that he has been welcomed into Heaven.

The funeral is scheduled to take place at St. Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg, Virginia on September 26, 2026 at 12 PM. A reception will be held at St. Bede following the service.

In Robert's memory, donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy (https://www.nature.org/en-us/) or the ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/).