Bob had an enormous heart, his zest for life was intense. Our last correspondence was about our next lunch date, I cannot believe he is gone. He was a friend, a mentor, a client, my database on anyone and everyone in DC. I will miss our long lunches and conversations about architecture. Until we meet again, get the party started in heaven.

After reading so many tributes to Bob, it is clear that his character was consistent with all he encountered, be it through work, socializing, or personal interests and hobbies. Consistency in passion, energy, warmth, humor, dogged determination, and a deep appreciation for all the things that make life beautiful – food, drink, art, music, architecture, athletics – the list seems endless. While sometimes Bob’s zealousness could exhaust his colleagues trying to keep up, we all knew it was coming from a place of care and his desire for the absolute best end result possible. He always wanted to look at something “just one more time”, and it was almost always for the better that we did. I can honestly say that Bob changed how I look at the world around me – my time working with him on our project, which I hope will be one of his greatest lasting legacies outside of his family, truly helped me to see the built environment in a new way. I will be forever grateful for that, but I will undoubtedly miss his mentorship, funny team texts, wine recommendations, forcing me to try exotic foods, forcing me to keep up with his speed walking in search of said exotic foods, and most of all, his friendship. Our Akridge family will never be the same without him.

When reading the remarks shared by so many in tribute to Bob, it is clear his passion in life and in his work made a difference in so many of the lives he touched. That comes as no surprise to anyone that knew him. I am thankful to have had Bob as a colleague, mentor, & friend. My deepest condolences to Bob’s family and all those close to him. May the memories of Bob’s caring personality and contributions to his trade be celebrated and his legacy carry on in all of us.

I will truly miss my colleague and beloved friend – that upbeat fast paced stride and positive energy. My condolences go out to Marina and the two fine young men they raised, Matthew and Phillip.

I have known Bob for over 20 years. He was always willing to share, not only his knowledge of building design and construction industry, but also for opportunities that include smaller, disadvantaged businesses to sit at the table. He took the time to help me, as project administrator, to understand what his professional role was at Akridge and what some of the things were that made commercial and mixed-use developments unique or iconic. I was his gatekeeper that generally knew his where-abouts, assisted balancing his chaotic schedule, coordinated travel, and facilitated submission of his infamous expense reports. He valued my assistance and didn’t take it for granted; I was included in many wonderful lunches and industry events. He relied on me…trusted me, and I was loyal to him.

Bob lived life fully, traveled the world over seeking unique metal, wood, tile and other materials. He worked in an industry that he loved, did his job well, and made many friends. Farewell my friend, for a long life isn’t good enough, but a good life is long enough.

My heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family. Bob was an amazing person and someone I was honored to have known at Akridge. I was so blessed to have seen Bob last on December 22nd. I don’t typically work out of the corporate office however I was working on a special project and was in the office when I saw Bob last. I hadn’t seen him throughout the pandemic so it was great to able to see and talk to him for a bit. We laughed about his skit at our annual holiday meeting. Bob’s comedic timing was awesome. Bob had a special way of always making me feel appreciated. He always made it a point to thank me for any assistance I may have provided him and he made me feel special. He always wanted me to know that he saw me at the office and always greeted me like a special friend. I will miss him dearly. His friendly demeanor and kindness in the office was one of a kind. Rest in Peace my friend. You are sorely missed and loved by all of us who knew you. Love always, Sonia

I had the pleasure to work with Mr. Schofield on several projects. His vision, forward thinking, and insight into the needs of people and buildings were necessary for us to make any progress on those projects. He was also a person of incredible warmth. On a professional level, he will be deeply missed for his advocacy and energy; on a personal level, he will be deeply missed, period.

I met Bob when he presented the redevelopment of the old NAB building at Rhode Island/17th/M St NW. I could feel the passion and commitment he brought to his work every time we talked through design and its intersection with public space. It is a beautiful building and every time I drive by it I think of him. Everyone has special moments, special places, and special memories of Bob. They reflect his unique impact as a person and a colleague. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his coworkers.

To Bob’s family, my sincere thoughts and prayers go out to you in your loss; and to the Akridge family as well. What a great man and a sincere, gracious friend we had come to know in Bob.

I first met Bob and had the great pleasure of working with him on the Gallery Place project. Although we were already doing the architecture from Dallas at that time, Bob asked me to bring our best interior designer to redesign the office lobby before the current design was bought out. The next trip, Glenn Clarke and I find ourselves following Bob from office to office around DC looking at examples of lobbies or portions thereof that Bob liked or didn’t like. And, by following Bob, I mean starting out walking together and ending up in a swift jog to try to keep up with Bob through the crowded city…and the color of the traffic light made no difference to Bob. It was a good thing Bob and I were both tall so I could see his head above the sidewalk crowd between us to determine if he had crossed the next intersection yet. Two hours, 3 miles, and 4 blisters later he decided that we should now have a sufficient idea of what he’s looking for. Bob was full of life, full of energy and full of passion.

For years since, I’ve enjoyed his camaraderie, the design debates over lunch or with beers after work with Bob, and his enthusiasm never waned. And, every now and then as we finished a lunch he would have that look in his eye and would say- ya got a few more minutes? I want to take you over to get your thought on another building I saw last week- and we were off on another field trip – although, I insisted on taking cabs!

One more story I must tell. On one of our excursions on foot coming back in the evening, we passed by an elderly woman who was standing on the sidewalk weeping. As we were about to open the back door to go up to Akridge’s offices, Bob paused, turned around and walked back to the woman on the sidewalk and asked what was wrong. She spoke broken English but, Bob understood that she was trying to get to her family and didn’t have enough money or know the transit system to get there. Bob took her by the hand and brought her to Metro, bought her fare and led her to the right train, gave her a map and pointed to the stop to get off. He then pulled a $20 from his pocket and gave it to her, and with a smile told her she’ll be fine. That was the heart of Bob.

Bob, my friend, I will miss you greatly. I look forward to seeing you again on the other side.

Rest easy, Robert. Sending love to your family and all of your loved ones.

I had countless conversations with Bob over the years, many about design and how it relates to the user experience. More specifically, in need of articulate descriptions to incorporate into leasing presentations, I would ask Bob about some design element of the latest project, knowing he would provide easy to understand background on the inspiration and a plethora of descriptive language that could make the most basic material sound exciting. He always came through and I always had pen and paper ready – Bob’s feedback was gold.
 
But the interactions with Bob I will cherish most were the most basic – the quick conversations while getting coffee or passing in the hall. Asking about my day, giving me advice on boats, or just offering a friendly hello in passing. 
 
Bob was such a genuine guy and had a unique way of making people feel special. I will really miss him.

I never worked with Bob. My memory of Bob is from the Akridge annual ski trip of which I participated, and so did Bob. He brought his little wireless speaker with him on the bus to the ski hill. We all had so much fun on the bus listening to music, singing, and dancing. Every time we ran into each other in the hall way, Bob would always make a point to stop, and said a few kind words. I think Bob is a very nice and genuine person; he has the ability to make you feel that you are special. I will miss him very much.

I first met Bob while interviewing for an internship at Akridge, and while I did not end up there that summer, Bob always remembered me years later, met for lunch, and we eventually collaborated on a project together while in a JV. Bob had the unique ability to listen with his whole self, giving you the confidence that you were the center of his attention. He was generous, gracious, and always interested in everyone’s opinion. He was not afraid to take a calculated risk. He enjoyed his trips to see materials. He enjoyed good food. Most of all he enjoyed other people’s company.

My condolences to Bob’s family, and his work family. He will be truly missed and never forgotten.

Bob was an exceptionally committed and passionate professional. It is rare to meet such a well-rounded representative of the development community. He had great appreciation of design, deep technical knowledge, attention to all details, constructability and contractual understanding and aspirations for best outcome consistently. Bob will be remembered by all who collaborated with him.

Esther Simon (retired architect)

No doubt we enjoyed the privilege of working with Bob as a client on a great project, but I first knew Bob and will always remember him as an enthusiastic skier, a sushi lover, and a fanatical Red Sox fan, in that order, before we gained him as a client. His overflowing energy and passion for everything he put himself into spilled over to everyone around him. He will be sorely missed as a friend.

My thoughts are with Bob’s family and the entire Akridge organization. Engaging with Bob was always a pleasure – he consistently brought forward an addictive atmosphere of energy as he pursued an inquisitive nature to topics. I shall certainly carry that forward and will also fondly remember his accomplishments on projects throughout the city.

I met Bob as part of our work with NAIOP, I found him to be a great resource for the entire real estate community and I valued the time he gave to me and to others. On one NAIOP outing he shared his passion of sailing and it was clear how much he valued his time on the water. His mentorship and knowledge will be missed by all who knew him. I wish his family and his close friends and colleagues my deepest condolences.  

Bob, you are the most inspiring client. I’m very sorry to lose a chance to cook your favorite summer soup. You will be forever missed.
Bang

I first met Bob in 2014 while I was at Martinez and Johnson, when I managed during conceptual design the Steven’s School and new office building project just recently completed. Everyday he marched into the office with a new idea with boundless energy. He took the team on tours of the projects he had completed, remembering minute details about each roof terrace or lobby that made the projects come to life from Gallery Place to 1200 Seventeenth Street. To say he cared is an understatement; we talked every day about spaces, lighting, materials, ventilation systems, mistakes, the urban fabric. Really he had a love of it all.

We formed a bond during that project and met at times after I left M+J. He encouraged me to go back to school as we sat at lunch in 2016 on a snowy afternoon enjoying French fries, his one indulgence he said. He asked warmly, as was his nature, about my 3 year old daughter and told me his fond memories of his own kids. We admired some of the details of the Giegangack-designed building we were in, and critiqued others.

The last time we had lunch was the summer of 2018 after I had finished a semester of my MBA at Hopkins. He was checking on an old friend, always the kind soul and mentor offering advice. He told me of rediscovering his life after his kids had grown enough and feeling a little unsure. We planned to meet again last year after my move to Leo A Daly; he was going to come into the office. Sadly, Covid stole that chance.

I’ll always remember his charm, dignity, and immense love of architecture. And I will treasure our friendship forever and the very deep well of care he showed to every one. To his family, my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. Rest well Bob. You will be missed yet you inspire us all to be our better selves.

We were just beginning to know Bob as a client, having know of him through reputation for a very long time. I believe he was bigger than life! I spoke with him just 10 days ago, and had my breath taken from me when I learned today of his sudden passing! Bob was generous with compliments and kindness, both of which were earned with mutual respect, wisdom, spirit, and open hearts. I’ll be forever sorry that I didn’t honor his request to take him into our wet, spider-ridden, subterranean basement to view our materials library! I wouldn’t wish that space on anyone! It saddens me greatly to miss the opportunities that could have been. Rest in peace, Bob. Sending love to your family.

I only had the chance to work very little with Bob. Too little, now I sadly know.

In just a few months of effervescent work on the Buzzard Point project, I have been indelibly marked by how much of a great person he was. Strongly, simultaneously and always: joyful, kind, honest, eager to do better.

I will keep his memory dear to my mind and heart. Thank you Bob.

My deepest condolences to Bob’s family, and to the entire staff at Akridge. I am still in shock after the lost of my dear friend Bob.

I met Bob 22 years ago, our friendship evolved from a simple hello in the morning, and from him signing my first paycheck, to having him proposed to my wife (literally)… more on this below.

It was 8:30 in the morning and I was about to finish my breakfast, I was surprised that Bob wasn’t there, he was usually up very early and never missed breakfast. We had a long business dinner the night before, so I thought that he was probably still in bed… well, I was so wrong…

Later on I found out that he had actually woken up at 5, left the hotel at 6:00 to take a skydiving lesson at a local airport nearby, had taken his first skydiving jump at 8:30, and was already on his way back to the hotel by 9:30. This reminded me that Bob wasn’t a regular human being, he was not like the rest of us, he was full of energy, driven, in need of adventure, and with a 24/7 adrenaline rush that I personally envied. He put 100% on everything that he did, he was the ultimate professional demanding the best from those around him.

He didn’t hesitate to tell me, architects, designers or engineers when something was wrong, he knew exactly how things were put together, and understood construction details that most architects don’t even think about (sorry if you are an architect reading this) he told me once that being an amateur carpenter helped him understand how things were built, and that gave him an edge over those like me, who have never really built anything with our own hands. He was able to tell you in the nicest way, how wrong you were, while inspiring you do better, it was a gift he had.

He also had a funny side. I had just proposed to my wife during dinner, unfortunately the ring was too big, so she decided to put it on her purse. We met with Bob later on and told him what had happened, he looked at me and said “you just didn’t do it right” He proceeded to take the ring out of her purse and proposed to her in front of the whole restaurant, people at the restaurant were clapping his engagement with my wife. Funny guy.

He was also known for his big bear hugs and his unapologetic “I love you” even if he had just met you. My grandaunt was witness to both, she is only 5’2” and was in panic just before the bear hug, and didn’t understand how somebody she had just met could be so nice to her.

Thank you my friend for making me a better professional, father and husband. Thank you for taking a chance on me 22 years ago, for all your love and guidance. Thank you for being godfather to my only daughter and for loving my family. Thank you for those bear hugs, and for being kind an authentic. You will always be the older brother that I never had.
.
Good bye brother, I hope all the struggles are gone, and that you are in peace. We miss you dearly.

Tu hermano por siempre,

On behalf of all of us at Antunovich Associates who knew and worked with Bob, I extend my deepest sympathies to Bob’s Family and to his Akridge Family on his premature passing.
He was a wonderful, kind Man. Full of life, energy, compassion, with an insatiable drive to make our built environment better.
He asked of us no more than he asked of himself, a passion for better design.
From that large extended hand, to that ever-present smile, to those huge hugs, to those words of encouragement, there was only one Bob.
He made everyone he encountered better.
I can just see him up there now giving God advice on how to improve the design of the Pearly Gates!
Rest in peace our dear friend.
We will never forget you.

I would like to dedicate these words to the memory of Robert E. Schofield Jr. in solidarity with his family, relatives, loved ones, and the many colleagues that knew him. For those who did not know him, Bob’s world was one full of energy and curiosity, he pursued the unique, sought out the different, and had an unparalleled appreciation for diverse perspective. As a collaborator, he led projects with a vivid imagination, then working to bring us all into his world, describing the qualities with his own lexicon. Bob knew better than us, and he was at the same time specific and abstract with his aspirations for quality in the built environment. He had the eye of a Designer, the heart of an Architect, the mind of Builder working to construct places for people. He understood that quality human places embraced irregularity and quality materiality expression. He worked tirelessly to construct places that spoke to people’s soul, their innate behaviour, and temporal experience.  With the eye of a designer Bob was always searching for the imperfection because he knew that was where beauty was found. Those who knew Bob, understands that he was in fierce opposition to mediocrity, challenged the status quo in search for excellence. Bob fought with a resilient spirit for meaningful change in the design of every place. He relied on his own steadfast intuition and was never afraid to share his perspective or challenge yours. A pragmatist, when he was convinced of a new direction, he would always show us how to build it.

As once he mentioned to me; “What makes great places is the hundreds of souls and bodies circulating and using the space – that’s what makes a place great.” It was because of this belief that his last vision was truly a place driven by people. He saw this place as a unique demonstration that will change the perception of how we understand spirit of place in new developments. He imagined a place of duality; one that felt familiar as if it had always been but also unique.

Robert E. Schofield Jr, was a man that challenged his own dreams. A visionary that embraced risk believing in developing great places and accomplishing his vision. These lifelong beliefs manifested in the last project we collaborated on, Buzzard Point. It is now on us to bring his vision to fruition with the execution of this place for people. The last remaining piece to complete L’Enfant Plan at the confluence of the Anacostia River and the Potomac Peninsula, Buzzard Point will honour the ‘Industrial-Deco’ of the smoke stacks reminiscent of the coal era. It will be a place of reclamation, a place to be embraced by people and culture taking on a life of its own.
 
An advocate of great places, Bob was a firm believer of place before design, a fervent challenger constantly provoking designers to execute the impossible. He would always convince us with his unwavering belief in the unproven. Bob changed the way we work for the better and with Buzzard Point we will continue to push forward his inherited legacy and principles of placemaking.

Bob Schofield has moved on to better place but his legacy and passion will endure in his work throughout the built environment. Although he is no longer with us in person his last vision will be constructed with his guiding principles of place for generations to come as a better place for all Washingtonians. The development is atypical, a break from the homogenous and repetitive housing stock, a balance of organic and eclectic, moments of surprise without cliché.  A truly democratic plan, the design prioritizes the pedestrian and the eye level experience.  The public realm celebrates careful attention to tactile quality, a ground-plane rich with layered materials. An intentional patina will develop tracing the human experience, engraving a well loved pattern of wear to deliver an unparalleled spirit of place as if it has always been. A microcosm of urbane, organic, human place that both honours and challenges the limits of the L’Enfant Plan.

Together with the design team, we at West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, are committed to continue articulation of Bob’s legacy through careful, aspirational, placemaking.  Once built his thoughts, ideas, and believes will be enjoyed for generations to come. I like to call Bob the Man that challenged L’Enfant.

We are incredibly sorry for your loss and we will miss him for perpetuity.