Death of Robert "Bob" E. Firth

Robert “Bob” E. Firth, professor emeritus, passed away on December 29, 2020, at 99 years of age. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Dec. 19, 1921, he is survived by his daughter, Holly Jane Firth; his son, Frances Eugene Firth; wife, Dorothy Peterson; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.  He was last a resident of Great Oaks Assisted Living Center, Monroe, Georgia, where he lived happily with his wife Dorothy. Dorothy and Bob were married on Jan. 11, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his first two wives, Morna Y. Leouier and Frances Early.

His legacy was that of an educator, teaching initially at the secondary level and then focusing on his specialties of management and business law at both the collegiate and graduate levels in various educational institutions in the Seventh-day Adventist school system.

Firth graduated from Maplewood Academy, Hutchinson, Minnesota, and then served as a medic in the European theater in World War II. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, he attended Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from that institution in 1948. He then returned to Maplewood Academy as a teacher but was invited back to Union College to chair the Department of Business Administration in 1952. While at Union College he earned a master’s degree in economics and his PhD in management, both from the University of Nebraska. Management was a relatively new field in 1960 when he completed his PhD, and Firth holds the distinction of being the first PhD in management in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In 1964, Firth was invited to join the faculty at Andrews University with the specific mandate to organize and institute an MBA program in the Department of Business. This assignment resulted in the first graduate degree in business being offered by any Seventh-day Adventist educational institution. The curriculum that Firth developed for this program, and the undergraduate business program that supported it, became the model upon which other Seventh-day Adventist business programs around the world were based.

After serving as the chair of the Department of Business for 14 years, Firth was asked, in 1978, to serve as the assistant to the vice president for Administration with the specific tasks of organizing the AU Press and directing the faculty research program. It was in this capacity that Firth also spent considerable time working with Andrews University administration in the Affiliation Program, which was designed to strengthen Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities around the world. Through this assignment, Firth traveled to many of these schools and personally assisted in establishing strong business programs on other campuses.

In 1983–84, Firth filled in as the dean of the School of Business Administration at Andrews University for one year while Sy Saliba, under appointment to replace Dale Twomley as dean, completed his PhD. Upon “official” retirement in 1988, Firth continued to direct the AU Press for two more years and taught business law in the School of Business until 1993. At that time, Firth moved to Social Circle, Georgia, where he continued to serve the community as a member of the Lion’s Club and through other social organizations.

"Dr. Firth’s influence literally is felt around the world through the service and accomplishments of his students over the years," says Ann Gibson, professor emerita. "Eight of the current or recently-retired Andrews faculty were his former students and came to understand the importance of excellence in one’s academic work, and his own personal example and insistence on careful instruction in the classroom. Scores of others have carried those same lessons around the globe to enhance excellence in Seventh-day Adventist business curriculum and instruction. One could not know Dr. Firth without feeling the influence of his own personal high standards for academic quality. But one also felt his personal concern for the student and his desire to support those who he considered to be 'his men and women' as they pursued their own lives and their own careers. Thus his influence lives on despite his passing. The torch he lit is now carried by others, to be passed on to future generations. That is exactly as he would have planned."

Ralph Trecartin, associate provost and dean of the College of Professions, says, "Dr. Firth’s portrait is displayed in the School of Business Administration Dean’s office. When I look at it, I often wonder if I could hope to have the lifelong impact that he has had on multiple generations of students. When I was an MBA student, I knew that he would hold me accountable and so I must do my very best in research and academic endeavor. He was sometimes gruff, but you could see his eyes twinkle and knew that he loved all of his students. He was not afraid to comment on my wrinkled pants and the need for professionalism. And, he loved to share traditions and sayings with us. One of his comments that I found very useful was about studying to earn a PhD. He would say on multiple occasions, “It is not how smart you are that will determine your success but the fact that you are too stupid to quit.” Like so many good things in life, to reach an educational goal takes dogged determination. He was a determined man and it showed in his character and accomplishments."

Firth was a Christian man with strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. He always sought to serve his Lord to the best of his ability in a meaningful way. He accepted the plan of salvation provided by our Savior Jesus Christ and stayed true to his beliefs all his life, even unto the end. He will be missed by all who knew him, and especially by his family.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.