In 1993, Bob Egan (HBS '85 Section D) embarked on a two-week, 1200km trip through Ukraine with his friend Rob McNutt. It was just two years after Ukraine’s independence from Russia in August 1991, and the country was working to emerge from the shadow of Soviet control.

Despite the recession in Ukraine, “People were so generous and so kind,” Rob recalled. “They didn’t have much, and things were tough for them, but they were open, they were curious, [and] they were generous.” The Ukrainians they met invited them into their homes, providing food, shelter, hospitality, and guidance on their route—while refusing to accept any kind of payment.

Bob's trip to Ukraine was one of many adventures he took with friends around the world before he passed away in 2021. “He really was fascinated by the country,” his brother Rich recalls. “Meeting the people would have been one of the highlights for him, and why he did all [these trips].” In addition to biking, backpacking, and bagging mountain peaks with friends old and new, Bob also volunteered at the Olympics and Special Olympics. A few years after his trip, in 1996, he hosted the Ukrainian women’s cycling team, their trainer, and manager at his home in Boise during their visit for an Olympic practice race. He stayed close with many classmates from Harvard Business School, who regularly met him for outdoor adventures in the U.S. and Australia. He was a smart, kind, generous friend who continues to be remembered and much missed. You can read more of Bob's story here.

To honor Bob’s interest in people and places around the world, his brothers Joe and Rich generously donated to Heal Ukraine Trauma (HUT) in his memory. They have encouraged HUT to raise a memorial fund in his honor.

About Heal Ukraine Trauma

While Ukraine’s economy grew dramatically in the 2000s, the ongoing war instigated by Russia has again interrupted the country’s growth and created new traumas. HUT, a U.S. 501(c)3 nonprofit, works on the ground in Ukraine to provide mental health programs, education, and advocacy to help Ukrainian veterans and families heal from the trauma of war so they can live fulfilling, productive lives. Through the Egan family’s support, and the legacy of Bob’s stout curiosity and kindness, Ukrainian veterans and families can begin to heal and rebuild.

The Bob Egan Memorial Fund

The Bob Egan Memorial Fund will fund innovative training programs for Ukrainian psychologists; support groups for families of active Ukrainian military servicemembers; and coping skills programs for children ages 8-17 that help them to process the unthinkable trauma of war.

Please join us in paying forward the generous Ukrainian hospitality Bob encountered to provide a safe, healthy country for generations to come.

To learn more about Heal Ukraine Trauma, please visit www.healtraumas.org.

Bob Egan Memorial Fund for Heal Ukraine Trauma

Please join us in honoring Bob's intrepid legacy by supporting Ukrainian veterans and their families