Robert Andrew Close was conceived in Costa Rico of American parents, born in San Francisco CA in 1923, and raised in Cincinnati OH. He entered the US Naval Academy in 1941, graduating in 1944 in time to participate in the final ever great surface fleet battle. He then became a carrier pilot, Naval Helicopter Pilot #153, nuclear specialist on both power and weapons sides, squadron commander, ship’s operations officer. Upon retirement and two years cruising on his 42’ ketch, he became a Mathematics professor at Pan American University. His final retirement was to San Antonio TX.