Our hearts are heavy as we say a final farewell to the dear co-founder and former CEO and chair of the College Success Foundation (CSF) – Robert “Bob” E. Craves. The visionary leader passed away on November 5, 2014, following a brief struggle with cancer. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Bob was the leader of the foundation for 13 years since he co-founded it in 2000. He was always a passionate advocate for equal access to higher education for all. As a champion for underserved students, he raised $600 million to further educational opportunities for our most vulnerable youth – including those who were the first in their families to pursue college, low-income youth, students of color and foster youth. After his retirement in 2013, he continued as a board member and an enthusiastic supporter in both Washington state and in Washington, D.C.

Bob was a leader and a giant, and will be remembered by the thousands of young people whose life trajectories he influenced with the gift of education. By the end of 2013, more than 12,000 scholarships were disbursed and nearly 4,000 CSF Scholars had earned bachelor’s degrees, with thousands more still attending college.

Bob was my hero and my friend.