Bob Bean graduated from McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio in 1930 and enrolled in Wooster College that fall.  He was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar at Wooster, earning his B. A. degree in mathematics in 1934.  After two years of teaching mathematics, physics, and general science at Greensburg High School in Ohio, Bob entered Ohio State University and earned his Masters Degree.

The lure of California called Bob west in 1942.  He found employment with the U. S. Forest Service in an investigation of the groundwater geology of the San Dimas Experimental Forest.  He worked briefly for the U. S. Geological Survey in 1947 before finding long-term employment with the California Department of Water Resources.  Between 1947 and 1966 Bob rose from junior geologist to supervising engineering geologist.  He was responsible for the statewide supervision of all planning activities in groundwater geology.

Five years of employment with the United Nations began in 1966.  He served as a technical adviser and coordinator of groundwater projects in numerous countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with the UN Development Program.  Projects that he was involved in were critical to the water supply and health problems of numerous areas including the cities of Madras, India, San Juan, Argentina, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, and San Salvador, El Salvador.

In the fall of 1971, Bob returned to southern California to pursue two careers, one as a consultant and one as a university teacher in hydrogeology.  Bob's consulting activities took him all over southern California and his teaching has touched the lives of many, many students.  In addition to Cal State L. A., Bob taught hydrogeology courses at Cal State Northridge, Occidental College, and UCLA. 

Bob began teaching hydrogeology at Cal State L.A in 1972.  We have no record how many students Bob taught in the classroom or graduate students that he has advised.  He directed at least 12 theses to a successful completion.  Bob served on as many as 12 thesis committees simultaneously, most commonly as the committee chair.  His impact on our program was huge.

 Professional activities that Bob has pursued were far ranging.  He is a former president of the AEG and past chair of many AEG committees.  He was a fellow of the Geological Society of America and former chair of the Hydrogeology Division.  He was a member of the California State Governor's Earthquake Council.  He was a member of the American Geophysical Union, the International Geological Congress, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Society for Social Responsibility in Science.

 Bob and his wife, Lois, were widely known and respected for their interest in the welfare of the less fortunate in this world.  They were drawn to the issues of poverty, starvation, proliferation of nuclear weapons, and international peace.  Bob and Lois shared the joy of life with their daughter, Donna, son-in-law, Greg Boyd, and grandson, Eric.

The Geological Sciences Department treasures it memories of Bob and what he accomplished for the students.  Bob passed away in the summer of 2005 at the age of 92.