Robert Spencer Long

Robert Spencer Long (June 1927 – December 25, 2015) was a professor of physical science and the tenth president of Shimer College.

Early life and education Long was born on the north side of Chicago, Illinois, in June 1927. He graduated from Roger C. Sullivan High School in the Rogers Park neighborhood in 1945. He enlisted in the United States Navy on July 31, 1945, and served for three years.

H then studied at the University of Chicago, where he obtained a BA in 1951, a Master of Science in 1955, and a PhD in Geochemistry in 1964.

Career He subsequently taught at Nasson College in Maine, New College of Florida, and at the University of Puerto Rico before becoming Dean at Roger Williams College.

Long assumed the position of President of Shimer College on 3 June 1970, shortly after previous president Milburn Akers was killed in car accident. Long increased gift income to $300,000 per year, but this was not sufficient to counteract the financial problems. In November 1973, the Board of Trustees announced that Shimer would close at the end of the year.

Long later worked for 18 years at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC.

Later life and death He spent his retirement years in San Francisco, California where he died at the age of 88 on December 25, 2015 surrounded by family.