CEO Update, October 2026

“To lose a friend is the greatest of all losses.”  
~Cicero

Each of our lives is touched by so many. Some we expect and some totally unexpected. The best just envelope us with so much good, we do not realize their full impact until they are gone. 

We lost a true friend with the passing of Rob Stachler.He h ad such a big heart. Rob tarted every conversation with “what do you need, how can I help?” Rob was selfless in how he always put everyone else first. Whatever you needed, he would try to find a way to make it happen. 

Rob was more than a colleague.  He brought true friendship to all his roles, and the AAOA benefited from his generosity. He took a real interest in everyone as people—their whole self— not just their Board, committee, or staff roles. And, he always took the time to say thank you. Every course faculty got a personal email note after every AAOA program acknowledging their contribution and congratulating them on their delivery.

Those twinkling eyes — that usually inferred he was up to no good — and his infectious cackle always brought a smile.  To say he brighten a room is an understatement. Rob lit up a room with unstoppable energy.

I feel fortunate to have shared more than 25 years of friendship with Rob. And I will miss him dearly.

Read the obituary here,