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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

UI Professor Dies While Skydiving At Illinois Festival

Associated Press

For University of Idaho foreign language professor Robert Surles, skydiving was a way to stay young, a natural extension of his marathon runner and outdoorsman lifestyle.

His son, David, introduced him to the sport and Surles became an avid jumper. He made more than 200 successful jumps before a skydiving accident in Springfield, Ill., claimed his life Sunday. He was 58.

“He took me bungee jumping, so I figured I’d return the favor and take him skydiving,” David said. “He really enjoyed it.”

Surles was taking part in the World Free Fall Convention, an annual event where skydivers from around the country have the opportunity to jump out of a variety of planes, David said.

Surles had been at Idaho for 25 years, serving the university in a number of capacities, but primarily as a professor in the department of foreign languages and literatures. His teaching and research focused on Spanish literature and linguistics.

Surles was born in Los Angeles on May 12, 1939, and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish from San Diego State University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Surles first came to Idaho to teach in 1972, was tenured in 1978 and became a full professor in 1985.