Robert "Bob" Ely

Sep 20, 1932 -

Mar 3, 2022

Robert "Bob" Ely, 89, passed away at his home in Durham, N.H., on March 3, 2022. He was surrounded by members of his family.

Ely was born and raised in Connecticut and New York to Robert and Ruth Ely. He attended Yale College, served in the Army and attended Harvard Law School. He moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1959, working as a clerk for J. L. McCarrey Jr., the sole judge for the new state. All legal matters came through their office, a heady time for a young lawyer. Ely then worked for Judge Walter Hodge assisting in the court's transition to a state and federal system.

In 1961, Ely joined Gene Guess and Joe Rudd in forming the Ely, Guess and Rudd law firm in Anchorage. Bob was a longtime board member of the Anchorage Museum Association and the Alyeska Ski Club, and enjoyed ski racing with his wife and children.

During his more than 50 years in Alaska, Bob loved hiking with his family and traveling throughout Alaska. In 2013, he moved with his wife to New Hampshire to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for the passions he shared with his family and friends: his love of Alaska and American history, reading, conversation, art and the outdoors.

Bob is survived by Heidi, his wife of 55 years; son, Scheffer Ely of Emeryville, Calif.; daughter, Malin Clyde of Durham; son, Winston Ely of Brooklyn, N.Y.; brother, Peter Ely of Elgin, Ill.; and four grandchildren, Abby Clyde, Taylor Clyde, Keira Ely and Emory Ely. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, John Prudden Ely of New York City; and a fifth beloved granddaughter, Clara Ely, who passed away in 2018.