"Thank you, Phil, for your kind words. Even while struggling with his illness this past year, Rob never considered laving us this early. We miss him terribly.... Lisa"
In loving memory of
Robert Hughes Bohannan
Robert Hughes Bohannan passed away, with his family at his side, on April 3, 2018. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona on April 16, 1950 to Katharine Hughes Bohannan and Robert C. Bohannan, Jr. Rob attended Phoenix Country Day School, where in addition to his classes, he studied with Barry Goldwater to obtain his HAM Radio License. Thus began his interest in politics. He attended Claremont Men's College, and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Political Science. While at ASU, he became a member of Phi Kappa Psi.
Rob was a life-long train enthusiast, and later became a Certified Transportation Planner. In the 1980's, he was president of a transportation company that ran buses between Phoenix and multiple Northern Arizona cities. In the 1990's, he was general manager of the San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad out of Benson, Arizona, and was key in running passenger excursions on that railroad for some years, until it was sold and the southern portions abandoned. Rob was also instrumental over the decades in the design and eventual implementation of what became Phoenix's new light rail system, Valley Metro Rail. Just months ago he was still working diligently, as he had for more than four decades, toward Arizona regional rail, a system which through his efforts among many now has a decent chance of happening. Rob was a long time consultant with Lima & Assoc., and then more recently an independent consultant for Arizona DOT and Valley Metro.
Rob loved music, and his life-long wish of being in a band came to fruition when he joined the New Horizons Band as a trumpet player. He had composed for years, and his arrangement for band of some of his train songs was performed last year at the band's spring concert. He held leadership positions and was very active in many organizations throughout the community such as the Arizona Rail Passenger Association, Downtown Lion's Club, SAR, St. Barnabas Men's Group, CASI New Horizon Band, Davenport, Iowa, Glendale Arizona Summer Band, Hi 12-Noon Masonic Club, Master Mason - Paradise Valley Silver Trowel Lodge #29, Republican Party State Delegate, St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church, Scottish Rite Mason 32 Degree, Sons of the Civil War, York Rite of Free Masonry and the Mayflower Society.
Rob is survived by his sister Lisa Hutchison, his nieces and nephews Katharine Springfield (Steve), Bill Hutchison (CC), Rob Hutchison, Libby, Jack, Hope & Trey Hutchison, C.J. & Lux Springfield, his stepmother Margaret Bohannan and his beloved friend Dr. Charles DCamp. Services will be held on Friday, April 13, at 11:00 at St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church, with internment to follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Arizona Rail Passenger Association, Foothills New Horizon Band or St. Barnabas.
Tributes
"Lisa, it is with regret that I learned from the most recent issue of "The Shield," that your brother (and my Phi Psi brother) Rob died April 3. While it has been many years since I had the pleasure of talking with Rob, I do remember him well from his undergraduate days at AZ-Beta when I was president of the Phoenix area AZ Alumni Association as well as president of AZ-Beta's House Corporation. It is no surprise to me to read in the Arizona Republic of Rob's many activities and community involvements. How sad it must be for your family to have lost, in just four years, both your brother Rob and father Bob who I knew even better than Rob, two fine gentlemen. Phil Davidson"
"I knew Rob thru the Arizona Rail Passengers Association for some 40 years. I was in deep respect for his knowledge and enthusiasm for launching various projects about our mutual passion.....Trains. He was a fine gentleman and will be missed greatly."
"I had known Rob for nearly 40 years. We first met when I worked for ADOT and Rob was active in the Arizona Rail Passengers' Association. We did not always agree on the role for rail passenger service in Arizona; however, over the years, Rob and I discussed many other transportation and planning issues. I always felt that I learned something from our discussions and will miss them. More importantly, My remembrance of Rob will be that he was one of the nicest and caring individuals that I have ever known. Please accept my condolences for losing a wonderful person from your family. Bob Mickelson"
"In the early 2000"s I worked closely with Bob on the AZ Rail Passenger Association. He was a credit to all activities he was a part of and will be missed. My condolences to his family on his all too early passing. Phil Hanson Former AZ State Representtive"
"Rob, "Unc", will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a kind and gentle man, but wisely opinionated and informed. I have known him since our youth, and offer my most humble and heartfelt condolences to Rob's family, friends, and associates."
"I have known Rob since the mid 1980's. Like Rob, I have been a fan of railroading, and a member of the Arizona Rail Passenger Association. Rob was a polite gentleman He worked hard for railroading, and transit. What I most admired about Rob was his large variety of interests. Rob will be missed."