LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Robert Pike, former River-
head Town Board member, environmentalist and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Robert Dudley Pike of Riverhead, New York, died on May 9,
2010, at the age of 57; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Riverhead, New York, as the youngest of
three children, Robert Pike received his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy
from Stanford University in 1975, and his law degree from American
University in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Nicknamed "Joy Boy" as a child, Robert Pike was an adventur-
ous spirit; during the last decade, he started a company that refur-
bished mountain houses for vacationers and embarked on a cross-country
boat trip for a book he was working on, AMERICAN PASSAGES; and
WHEREAS, Instilled with a love for the outdoors and politics, Robert
Pike displayed both in his quest to keep Robbins island free from resi-
dential development in the 1980s and early 1990s; and
WHEREAS, Representing the Save Robbins Island Committee, Robert Pike's
vision for this pristine 435 acres of land became a reality when in
1993, it was purchased by a businessman who turned it into a private
wildlife preserve overseen by The Nature Conservancy; and
WHEREAS, A well-respected attorney, Robert Pike served one term on the
Riverhead Town Board, from 1986-1989, and advocated limiting the number
of homes that could be built on farmland sold to developers; he
succeeded in getting land near the Pine Barrens zoned to one house per
five acres; and
WHEREAS, The preservation of open space and farmland was his passion;
without Robert Pike, today, Riverhead would be much more densely popu-
lated; and
WHEREAS, Robert Pike distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Robert Pike's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Robert Pike is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughter,
Julia McGann; a son, Otis Pike III; one sister, Lois Pike Eyre; his
brother, Douglas Pike; and his father, Otis Pike; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Robert Pike leaves behind
a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Robert Pike, former Riverhead Town Board member,
environmentalist and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Robert Pike.