Bob Finton lived a “No Child Left Inside” childhood, wading through creeks and playing in wooded areas behind his home in Baltimore City. Summers were spent at his grandfather’s home on the shores of the Potomac in southern Maryland where he swam, crabbed, and explored the pine woods. This early exposure gave him a love and appreciation of the natural world that formed an essential part of his personality.
Bob attended Towson State University, where he majored in Biology. After graduating he began working in the Education Department of the Maryland Science Center. Bob was known for his dynamic stage presence as he performed in shows across the state.
While he was still at the Maryland Science Center Bob began working with the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, providing activities to supplement their summer camp program. Through this connection he learned about the position with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for an Education Coordinator in the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland, a position he held for several years. It was during his time with the DNR that Bob joined MAEOE and took an active role in planning the annual conference.
Bob was recognized posthumously as a “NOAA Environmental Hero” in 2006. In the press release, NOAA said “He made a tremendous contribution in elevating the visibility of the reserve system within NOAA and in establishing the Maryland NERR as a premier research and education venue. Finton combined his love for children, the outdoors and science with an incredible ability to entertain and engage people.”
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