Robert Lee Nadeau

Dr. Robert Lee Nadeau, a professor emeritus of English at George Mason University and a prolific author on environmental issues, passed away at his residence in Fairfax Station, VA on July 24, 2025, after a long illness. He was 81. His loving wife, Kathleen Wax, and his devoted dog, Dolly, were by his side.

Bob was born in Jacksonville, FL, on January 21, 1944, to Richard and Mary Virginia Nadeau. During high school, he played both football and baseball at Dupont High and served as head of the Episcopal church’s Southeast regional youth organization during his senior year, speaking to large groups in Florida and other states.

Bob majored in English at Sewanee: The University Of The South, graduating in 1966 after spending a year in France, an experience he cherished. His summers were spent in challenging jobs, including at a Jacksonville shipyard, where he developed a deep respect for the workers’ skills in dangerous environments. He earned his Ph.D.in English from University of Florida in 1970, followed by post-doctoral studies in literature and science at Yale University.

He began his academic career at Mary Washington College in 1970 and joined George Mason University in 1974 and became a full professor, teaching for nearly four decades until his retirement in 2012. He was known to bridge “two cultures” of science and humanities. His research explored the relationships among science, literature, history of science, and environmental economics, and he often taught interdisciplinary courses, including a team-taught class on science and literature.

Bob was the author of ten books, including two co-authored works, covering subjects from nuclear war to consciousness in the universe. In the last two decades of his career, his work focused on climate change, particularly the dangers of atmospheric warming and its economic consequences. He advocated for a unified global response to environmental issues, speaking at conferences, collaborating internationally, and working with colleagues to influence both scientific and economic action. Even in retirement, he remained active in discussions on environmental impacts. Outside of work, he enjoyed movies, concerts and visiting national parks with his wife and friends.

Kathy Wax, his wife of twenty-four years, fondly remembers their trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park in 2007, where a ranger pointed out how quickly the glaciers were melting. Bob was deeply moved and later wove that moment into one of his articles on climate change. He never stopped trying to open people’s eyes to the rapidly growing threats to the environment.

Bob’s kindness, determination, and dry humor left an indelible mark on everyone that knew him. Despite his dedication to addressing climate change, his greatest joy was his family and friends above all. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Langdon Comee, born during his marriage to Kathleen Nadeau. After he married Kathy Wax, they were both thrilled when Langdon married and had two daughters, Maddox and Parker Comee. Langdon later married Gonzalo Villamizar in 2015, and his daughter, Julieta, became part of the family. Bob was also a loving stepfather to Christopher Wax, and he and Kathy were overjoyed when Chris married Marie Thomas in 2010, and a few years later, had sons, Lucas and Peter. Even in his last hours, Bob wanted his family to know how much he loved all of them. Bob also leaves behind his cousin, Lynda Freeman.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on August 24 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, at The Crest clubhouse on Telegraph Road in Alexandria, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite environmental group.

Robert Nadeau on Wikipedia