Robert Emerson Young (1946 – 2026) 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rob or “Robbie,” who lost his brave battle with cancer on February 15th, 2026, at the age of 80. Rob was born on January 13th, 1946 in Pittsfield, MA to Bob and Ruth Young. 

He and his younger brother Phil attended Camp Beckett in the Berkshires every summer as children, and he would always say no matter what the weather, every morning they’d announce “Good morning, it’s a beautiful day at Camp Beckett” on the loudspeaker. He always got a kick out of it. 

Rob went to Lennox and Loomis boarding schools in the Northeast and then ventured out to Tucson, Arizona, for college. He first fell in love with Tucson, when he was a young boy, because his parents took the family to the White Stallion Ranch, which he loved – ultimately bringing him back to the area. 

He attended The University of Arizona, and was in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, graduating in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree. 

He worked hard in sales for many years – performing as the top salesman for Invesco, loved music, comedy, skiing, tennis, cars, and technology. He had this ability to talk to anyone, and everyone, always using humor. He joked he didn’t have a shy bone in his body and certainly wasn’t afraid to speak up. He loved the beauty of Tucson, and it always felt like home to him, so later in life, he moved back to his roots there. 

Rob was a dedicated father, who would do anything for his daughters. We will continue to honor his love for Arizona and celebrate him by spreading his ashes in the Tucson mountain range, because we know that’s what he would have wanted. 

We will be holding a viewing for those in the area, who wish to say goodbye, on February 20 at 11:00am at the Adair Funeral Home - 1050 North Dodge Blvd, Dodge Chapel in Tucson. 

In lieu of flowers, we’d love for everyone who wishes, to donate to his church he loved El Camino.

Rob is survived by his three daughters: Leanne, Robin, and Lauren, two sons in law, Brendon and Nicholas, and eight beautiful grandchildren, who he adored: Arya, Kenley, Brody, Anjali, Arjuna, Jack, James, and Emerson. 

We are all deeply sadden by his sudden departure, but we are happy knowing he will rest peacefully in the mountains overlooking the dessert, he loved most. We can picture him sitting up on top of Mt. Lemmon, no matter what the weather, saying, “Good morning, it’s a beautiful day on Mt. Lemmon!”