My journey to the Shorewalkers began in 1977 when a woman I worked with mentioned that she and her boyfriend went hiking with the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). She asked if I would like to join them as their guest and I said yes because I enjoyed walking very much. The three of us had some very nice hikes together, and I decided I wanted to join AMC, which at the time required the recommendation of two club members. My new friends gladly provided that and in October 1978, I became an active member for the next 45 years.In 1987, an AMC hike leader decided to celebrate its 75th anniversary by hiking the five boroughs of NYC. The hike leader had led hikes around two boroughs and the next borough on the list was Manhattan. He knew that Shorewalkers had hiked around Manhattan, so he decided to ask Cy Adler, its founder, if he would like to do a joint hike. Cy said yes and the very first, unofficial Great Saunter began. I then joined Shorewalkers in 1988 and I have been a member ever since.”

“I was born in West Virginia in 1939 and came to Newark, NJ when I was 10 years old. In 1956, I enlisted in the US Army. My unit was stationed in Fort Ord, California, where the motion picture The Girl I Left Behind, starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood, was filmed.”

“After months of training at Fort Ord, we boarded a troop train which took us across the country to the Brooklyn Navy Yards and on a ship to Germany. My greatest achievement while stationed in Germany was passing the Expert Infantryman’s test. I was motivated to pass this test because the Battalion Commander said that anyone who passed the test would be promoted to the next rank. I was promoted from PFC to Specialist which is an E4 rank.

“I attended the Germain School of Photography in Manhattan, earning a certificate in medical and scientific photography. Our instructor took our class to Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn to photograph the birth of a child, which was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my life.”

“I’m an avid softball player, having started over 30 years ago and still play today. I also have been a vegetarian for over 50 years and recently became vegan. Goals? To do more walks with the Shorewalkers!”

And his sporting prowess is not his only superpower. Robert has graciously helped us archive dozens of our paper newsletters called The Shorewalker which he saved, painstakingly scanning each and sharing with us.

We are so grateful for all he has done for us and honored he continues to be a Shorewalker!