“We don't get to say how long we live; we can only choose to live our best life as long as we have it.” (Bob Rack)

Robert (Bob) William Rack, Jr., 77, of Cincinnati, passed away on March 20, 2024, a little over a year after his leukemia diagnosis.

Bob, or as many knew him, Mick, was born on January 19, 1947, in Cincinnati to Robert Rack, Sr. and Lucille (Flege) Rack. He was the oldest of four children. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1965, John Carrol University in 1969, and University of Toledo Law School in 1972.

Bob dedicated his career to breaking down conflict in favor of communication, and devoted himself to creating a more civil, loving, and conscious world. In 1981, he developed and led the mediation program for the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which became a national model. Prior to his retirement in 2010, he helped establish institutional court mediation programs across the country and even abroad in India, Bangladesh, and Egypt.

After retirement, Bob continued to put his values and passions into practice. In 2011, he co-founded “Beyond Civility,” a program designed to create safe spaces for constructive conversations across political divisions.

Bob loved nature and was an avid hiker. He worked closely with Cincinnati parks, using his tenacity, charisma (and contacts) to develop and help implement a vision for the landscape at Mt. Storm Park in Clifton. He and his wife were two of the founders of the Clifton Deer research project, a highly successful citizen science initiative.

Bob is survived by his wife of 20 years Chris Lottman; sisters Chris Rack, Jo Rack (Frank Gomer) and Kate Cantlon (Rob); sons with prior spouse Sandy McClure, Greg Cottin-Rack (Myriam) and Kevin Rack (Marieke); stepson Ben Lottman (Holly); grandchildren Alma, Vida, Lelia, Maeve, and Brynnlee; cherished friends; and four four-footed companions. The family is infinitely grateful for the support received throughout Bob’s illness, including phenomenal medical treatment from Dr. James Essell and team at Oncology Hematology Care.

Bob donated his body to UC Medical Center for research. A celebration of life will be planned at a future date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation: 421 Oak Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219. Please mark the donation: "honoring Bob Rack at Mt. Storm Park" (http://www.cincinnatiparksfoundation.org). Alternatively, memorial contributions can be dedicated to the Clifton Deer research project (https://cliftondeer.org).

Kevin Aldridge commemorated Bob in the Cincinnati Enquirer: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2024/03/15/cincinnati-cancer-leukemia-hope/72935947007

Bob’s blog "On the other hand… A mediator's perspective": https://bobrack.com

Bob's final opinion piece, published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, was "A love letter to democracy": https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/01/08/a-love-letter-to-democracy-opinion/72091727007

Bob spent the past year documenting his thoughts and experiences living with a terminal illness: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/robertrack

Those reflections have been published, and can be ordered at: https://www.nolankerr.com

And, finally, I am  sending to you one of my very favorite poems by John O'Donohue. Our friend, David, sent this to us years ago and I hope it comforts you when you or someone you love is hurting.

Beannacht ("Blessing")

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

  When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

- John O’Donohue

My love and thanks to each of you...