Longtime Pagosa Springs resident Robert Allen Huff died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at his home. He was 80.

Known as “Bob,” he was born to Hubert and Helen Huff on July 25, 1931, in Muncie, Kan.

On Aug. 8, 1953, he married Mary Ann Strumillo in Kansas City, Kan.

After growing up on a small farm in Kansas and receiving a scholarship at the University of Kansas, Mr. Huff started his career as a biology teacher at Punahou Academy in Honolulu. After receiving a doctorate in educational administration at the University of Oregon, he embarked on a series of moves that took him and his family to a number of college towns.

Among other positions, he was associate director of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems; professor of higher education at Virginia Tech University; executive secretary of the Board of Educational Finance in Santa Fe; associate vice president of Academic Affairs at Arizona State University; and executive director of the Arizona University System Board of Regents. Mr. Huff served on the governor’s Cabinet in Arizona.

The Huffs moved to Pagosa Springs 23 years ago, where Mr. Huff was a member of the local Rotary Club, serving as president in 1997-98. He also served on several boards of directors.

“Bob is perhaps best remembered for his writing and reciting of cowboy poetry,” his family said. “His poetry – sometimes humorous, often thoughtful, but always truthful – reflects the connection he felt with the San Juan Wilderness.”

He performed several times at the Durango Poetry Gathering.

Mr. Huff kept a few horses and grazed a few cows each summer on his Little Bit Ranch.

Mr. Huff enjoyed cross country skiing, playing and coaching tennis, fly-fishing and going backpacking.

Mr. Huff is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Huff, of Pagosa Springs; son, Stephen Huff, of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter, Susan Geer, of Phoenix; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.