Robert Erwin Naper

Robert Erwin Naper died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Chestertown, MD, at dawn on February 25, 2013. He was born in Seattle, WA, on February 1, 1925, the only child of Erwin Gerhart Naper and Juanita Aull Naper. Soon thereafter, the family settled near Eugene, OR. A life-long scholar, his formal education began in a one-room, ten-student country schoolhouse, followed by the public schools of Eugene and the University of Oregon, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Economics. Recruited in 1957 by the Central Intelligence Agency as an analyst of economic intelligence, he served, rising to a senior intelligence officer status until his retirement in 1987, when he and his wife moved to Chestertown. As a boy, he was a Sea Scout which grew into an abiding love of sailing, first on the waters of the Pacific Northwest and continued on the Eastern Bay off his wife’s family home “Wades Point” and later on the Chester River and the Bay. Ashore, he was a prodigious reader, with a particular interest in history and politics, a devoted Redskins and Oregon Ducks fan, a chess player, and an art and music-lover–especially of opera. At various times, he served the community as a volunteer with Meals-on-Wheels, WC-All, Homeports, and for 18 years as treasurer of the Kent County League of Women Voters. He was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was predeceased by a daughter, Barbara Knight Inglesby. He is survived and loved evermore by his wife, Elaine; his daughter, Sue Caswell and her husband, Lansing Williams; a son-in-law, Leo Inglesby; grandson, Hoff Knight Inglesby and his wife, Michelle; grandson, Robert Austin Caswell and his wife, Roj; grandsons, Leo Charles Inglesby and John Thomas Inglesby; and great-granddaughters, Ashleigh, Danielle, and Alexis Inglesby and Hannah Caswell. Eugene Bird has been a close and devoted friend since Sea Scouting days more than 70 years ago. In Chestertown, Bob has rejoiced in close and affectionate bonds with Frances Miller and Dr. Frederick and Martha Holland. Services will be private. Donations in his memory may be sent to the Kent County Food Pantry.

Robert Erwin Naper

February 1, 1925 - February 25, 2013