Robert Alan Underwood, a gifted athlete and international educator who inspired those who knew him around the world, passed away on June 4, 2022, in Modesto, California after a long struggle with cancer. 

Bob was born in Pekin, Illinois on August 30, 1949 to Harlan (Woody) and Leota (Pat) Underwood. Over the arc of his life, Bob was an award-winning wrestler, a global nomad, a student of languages, history, philosophy and literature, a collector of books and extraordinary experiences, a skillful storyteller – but above all else, a loving son, husband, father, relative, and friend.

As a youth in Pekin, Bob excelled in sports. In high school, he lettered in wrestling and football. But he was most talented in wrestling. In 1967, he was awarded the All-State High School wrestling title for Illinois. After he became an NCAA university division 1 wrestler, Bob competed nationally, earning notoriety for the fastest pin of .09 seconds – a record still held today at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Bob also competed internationally  at the 1967 World Wrestling Championship in Greco Roman style wrestling, held in Bucharest, Romania, an experience that ignited his interest in the world. 

At Southern Illinois University, which he attended on a wrestling scholarship, Bob studied political science and philosophy. In the summers he worked on the Illinois railroad, saving up money to travel the world. He studied yoga with B.K.S. Iyengar in India, lived in a mosque in Afghanistan, worked on a farm in France, camped out in jungles in Belize, climbed ancient ruins in Mexico, and hitch-hiked across the world, learning to communicate in languages such as Pashto, French and Spanish.

In 1978, Bob began a Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language at San Francisco State University - a career path that led him to his life partner and soulmate, Carmel Fugett. Both were selected for the apprentice teachers' program at the American Language Institute for international students. There they fell in love collating student handouts side by side. Upon finishing their degrees, they married and three days later, moved to Kuwait to begin teaching at Kuwait University. Their first daughter was born there.

Their work and travels over the next years took them from San Francisco, where Bob taught immigrants and refugees and conducted cross cultural training programs for international business professionals, to Alexandria, Egypt, where he directed the American Cultural Center’s English language institute. A second daughter, Daneah, joined the family. Returning to the United States again, Bob and Carmel started and directed international language programs at universities in Florida, Louisiana and California. 

In 2003 they returned to their life abroad, to Abu Dhabi, UAE, where they joined the faculty at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Later, they moved to Qatar, where they taught at the national university for six years. After working as educators for 33 years, Bob and Carmel retired in 2013. They divided their time between California, where they tended an almond ranch, and Ascoli Piceno, Italy, which became a much-loved second home.

Bob was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. But true to his wanderlust nature, he kept traveling – throughout California, and a final trip to Italy. He died peacefully in his sleep at home with his family nearby. 

Always a teacher in his soul, Bob had an insatiable love of learning. He continually added to his knowledge of history and to his vast book collection. He loved the Beat writers, biographies of historical figures like John C. Fremont and Giuseppe Garibaldi, the romantic poets, and all bookstores, especially City Lights in San Francisco. He also loved to write and tell stories about his travels – stories infused with history, keen observations, and humor – and was adept at singing Bob Dylan songs off-key. 

He admired finely crafted knives, traveling to knife making regions of the world in Mexico, Nepal, Sardinia, and Spain to add to his collection. Bob also frequently cooked delicious food for his family, such as his mom’s green beans, Thanksgiving turkey, and his mother-in-law’s traditional Southern Italian pasta sauce. He also had a unique fashion sense, and was known for his trademark travel vest with its many pockets and his signature Panama hat. Above all else, though, he loved spending time with his family - discussing favorite books and movies, giving spontaneous history lessons, and making fudge together.

For Bob, wrestling had been a path to his future life. The skills he learned on the mat - adaptability, respect, and courage - prepared him well for his career as a teacher and a citizen of the world. He had a boundless appreciation for all cultures and religions; he was a deeply spiritual person and loyal friend who touched lives with his humor and his intelligence. His adventurous spirit was an inspiration to family and friends. He encouraged them to “do what you are afraid to do." Bob lived his own life by this maxim, and it was  extraordinary as a result.

Bob is survived by his cherished life partner of 42 years, Carmel Fugett Underwood, and his treasured daughters Alexia and Daneah and sister Peggie Sue Powers, as well as dear sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends from around the world.

He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, his cousin Denny Emmons, and family members and friends who were influential in his life.

The family will hold a private celebration of life for Bob in Pekin, Illinois, on a date to be decided. They plan to scatter his ashes in the places he most loved. 

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