Robert A. Altman
1943 – 2022
Robert A. Altman, age 79, of Princeton, N.J. passed away on May 15, 2022 after courageously fighting lung cancer for more than a year. He will be remembered and cherished by his family and friends forever.
Bob, as he was known by all, was born on March 30, 1943, the only child of Julian and Kay Altman. He grew up primarily in Chicago, Illinois. From age 13 until his graduation from high school, Bob attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana where he excelled academically and made many lifelong friends. He then attended Harvard College, majoring in Medieval History. While at Harvard, Bob met his future wife Jane on a “blind date” in 1963. The couple married in 1965 and lived in married student housing at Columbia University while Jane completed her senior year in college and Bob obtained first a Master’s Degree and then a PhD in Education from Columbia. Daughter Jennifer was born in 1967, followed by son John in 1969.
He spent his professional life in a variety of administrative position in Higher Education, including The City University of New York, The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education in Boulder, Colorado, and as a Vice President of Educational Testing Service in Princeton, N.J. from 1980 to 1995. Bob supervised ongoing test development and the operation of a variety of programs at ETS, including the Graduate Record Exam and TOEFL. He was very involved in the expansion of ETS’s international programs which sent him to China, Japan, and Korea among other countries. After leaving ETS, Bob was able to indulge his love of travel, particularly to countries not on the standard tourist list, by consulting for both USAID and The World Bank in a variety of countries, including Albania,Egypt, Hungary, Jordan, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. He also worked extensively in Vietnam, helping to design and implement new admission criteria for the Vietnam National University in Hanoi.
A valued member of several college boards of trustees, Bob served as a trustee for Mercer County Community College, Montclair State University (which awarded him an honorary degree) , and most recently The College of New Jersey. He particularly enjoyed serving on the Board of Trustees at TCNJ and regularly attended Zoom meetings throughout Covid and debilitating lung cancer treatments. Always an enthusiastic trustee, Bob was known for attending sporting events and other student related activities at these institutions. From 1998 until his death, he also served on several Princeton committees that addressed traffic safety issues. In all of these commitments Bob forged lasting friendships.
In his spare time, Bob was an avid squash and tennis player. In his later years he became an accomplished cyclist, and spent many hours training each summer for the Five Boro Bike tour in New York City. There was also no sports event that he didn’t enjoy watching, most especially Phillies and Cubs baseball games and every football game that was ever played.
Bob’s many friends, colleagues, and family valued his irreverent wit and dry sense of humor. His most consistently appreciative audience was his wife Jane throughout their 56 years of marriage.
A truly loving father and grandfather, Bob is survived by his daughter Jennifer Altman (son in law Maurice Edelson), his son John Altman (daughter in law Dr. Sima Paul), and his grandchildren Rachel, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Daniel, and Meera . He was so proud of all of them. Bob counted himself very fortunate because his 2 youngest grandchildren live in Princeton and his 2 oldest attended, or are currently attending, Princeton University, affording him unusual access to all of them. Bob is also survived by many dear friends in N.J., in Colorado, and in other states who were part of his extended family. Each and every one of them will miss him forever.
Funeral services are Tuesday, May 17th, at 11 am at The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street in Princeton, NJ. Private burial will be at the Princeton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.
Shiva will be observed on Tuesday May 17th and Wednesday May 18th from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Altman residence in Princeton.
One of the attributes that made Bob so special is that he knew how to be a friend and excelled at every aspect of friendship. Whatever you needed at the time, Bob could and would provide–a shoulder to cry on, sage advice, a helping hand. He was a loyal and dear friend.
My deepest sympathy to his beloved Jane, Jennifer, and John.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences to Jane, Jennifer, John, their spouses and children/grandchildren. In his 79 years, Bob lived a very full life. We feel lucky to have met and socialized with Bob and enjoyed his wit and sarcasm. He will be sorely missed.
One of my favorite people. He will never be forgotten.
Even after all these years of friendship, there were new things I learned about Bob from this obituary (all of which just added to the enormous love and respect i already feel for him). What a privilege to have been considered by Bob as his friend!
The world has lost a wonderful man. Hugs to Jane and the rest of the family.
I met Bob going to choir practice and ask him a question. For the next eight years we shared activities playing sports and other endeavors that age encouraged and discouraged.
In the two marriage parties I was invited to, both survived.
Bob was a keeper. I was privileged to know and love him.
Jane and Family,
Bob was a very supportive friend and colleague for over 40 years.
When he was at ETS and I was at the College Board, we hit the road together numerous times, worked hard, but always found time for fellowship.
During my time as CEO of the NJ Association of State Colleges and Universities (1986-2011), Bob served for many years on the Board of Directors (representing MSU and TCNJ). He made outstanding contributions to the organization, and provided extremely strong support and guidance to me. His diligent preparation, keen intellect and good humor were critical ingredients to the effectiveness of the organization.
Foundational aspects of our long friendship included Chicago-land roots, baseball, food and travel.
Thanks to Bob’s generosity as a season ticket holder, we attended several Phillies games over the years. Bob introduced me to the idea of Around-the World travel, which Carlotta and I accomplished in 2015.
We especially enjoyed sharing tales of family, higher education, politics, baseball, travel and more at breakfasts in Princeton.
I will miss Bob, but cherish his invaluable, unwavering friendship.
Carlotta and I send sincere sympathy and warm regards.
My condolences for your loss. I know personally how much Bob loved his family. I know he will be missed and I’m so sad to hear of his passing. The years that I worked with Bob were so rewarding and memorable to me. May he rest in peace and prayers of comfort for the family.
I am sad to learn of the loss of Bob. What a delightful man he was! I worked with him on the Board of the Princeton Adult School. He was a wise advisor to the Board and to me when I was president. I remember that he and Nancy Beck planned several Civil War trips for the Adult School, travelling hundreds of miles to visit restaurants and motels and places of interest. Bob always had a twinkle in his eye and a funny remark, and he gave so much of himself to everything he did. I will miss him.
Sally and I have enjoyed decades of friendship with Bob and Jane. So many meals and friendships are shared. Bob and I served on the board of Princeton Adult School for years together, he as treasurer when I was president. He kept all the details and balances in good order. Bob drove me to numerous Phillies games, he always with the driving seat bent as far backward as possible to lessen his back pain (while I kept on hoping he could see the road ahead!) Fond memories of Bob will stay with us forever.
Dear Jane and family,
May the countless, wonderful moments Bob gave you fill your treasured book of memories. He was a true renaissance man who has left our world a far better place. Although our meetings have been few over the years, it was always special to be in Bob’s (and your) company. We always came away smiling, and a little bit smarter. Be well.
Sympathies to all of Bob’s family.
I was on the Princeton ‘Traffic and Transportation Committee’ when Bob was Chair. He was a real class-act. Genuine, funny, and full of sound judgement. We were blessed to have him around. I am very sad to hear of his passing. He will be fondly remembered.
Dear Jane and family,
Wishing you comfort, peace and much love during this difficult time.
Oh, Jane, my condolences to you and your family at Bob’s recent passing. My thoughts are with you all during this most difficult time.
I spent many delightful Wednesdays conversing with Bob at Old Guard (pre-Covid), and was saddened to read of his death. To Jane and the entire Altman Family, please accept my sympathy for your loss. I hope that your many loving memories together with Bob can sustain you during this sad time and into the future.
Jane, you introduced us to Bob. We are grateful. May his wit, humor, generosity and razor sharp ability to know and focus on the important help you all go forward. His memory is a blessing.