POST

Bob Augsburger, POST's first Executive Director and one of our original founders, passed away on December 31, 2009. News of his death reached POST just as the new year was dawning, and a sadder beginning is hard to imagine.

As Executive Director, Bob brought to POST a passion for land conservation, a knowledge of his community, a deep network of friends and colleagues, and an entrepreneurial spirit, all of which set up POST for long-term success. He came to the role with a sound business background and a credibility that allowed POST to establish itself right away. The leadership he exhibited during his time here, from 1977 to 1987, continues to inspire our work today.

Over the years, POST has benefited greatly from Bob's single-minded vision and 'get it done' attitude. His commitment to POST's mission was responsible for our early successes, including our first major project, the acquisition of Windy Hill, where today a bench bearing his name ("Bob's Bench") gives hikers a place to pause and rest a moment and take in the sweeping views. Responsible for identifying high-priority projects, he also recognized early on the value of saving landscapes such as Mindego Hill, which POST permanently protected in 2007. Even after he left the organization to work as a lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, he continued to be involved with POST and most recently served on our Advisory Council.

In later years, Bob made his home at the Sequoias retirement community, in Portola Valley, at the foot of Windy Hill, which today is as splendid a landmark as it was when he helped save it from development. The next time you hike up its flanks or catch a glimpse of its elegant profile on the horizon, I hope you think of Bob and the tremendous legacy of open space he helped create for all of us here now, and for all those who will follow.

--Audrey C. Rust
POST President

To read more about Bob in the Palo Alto Weekly, please click here.