September 19 1994
The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Monday, September 19, 1994
AULT-Of Newtonville, Sept. 16, Robin A. Beloved son of Margaret (Stinson) and the late Leslie Fleming Ault. Brother of Leslie Hastings Ault of Closter, NJ and David Stinson Ault of Linden, NJ. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mass Choice, Statler Bldg, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1129, Boston MA 02116-4399. Late Quality Control Manager and Software Engineer for Micrologic. Arrangements by Eaton Mackay Funeral Home, Newton Corner.
September 20 1994
The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Tuesday, September 20, 1994
Robin Ault, 52; Software Engineer, 'Gentle Fighter' for Women's Rights by Tom Long, Globe Staff
Robin Ault of Newton, a senior software engineer at MicroLogic Inc., former professor of mathematics at Boston State College and a longtime activist with Mass Choice, the state affiliate of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, died of cancer Friday in Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 52.
Born in Elizabeth, N. J., Mr. Ault graduated from Columbia College and earned a doctorate in mathematics at Brandeis University. During his undergraduate years he was national junior chess champion three years in a row and, during the Vietnam War years, he was a volunteer draft counselor for the American Friends Service Committee.
After teaching mathematics at Boston State College from 1965 until its closing in 1981, he joined Micro-Logic, where he was software quality assurance manager.
Yesterday, Susan Kannenberg, a Mass Choice Foundation board member and a former colleague on the faculty of Boston State, said, “Robin was as gentle in his demeanor as he was strong in his commitment to women's civil rights, especially abortion rights. In the early '70s, through student demonstrations and eventual faculty layoffs and closing of the school, Rob remained strong and perseverant in his goal of respect for students' rights to quality teaching and to faculty rights to fair treatment. He was a gentle fighter.”
He was a member of Mass Choice since 1970. The group plans to dedicate a volunteer award in his name.
Yesterday, Joyce Cunha, executive director of Mass Choice, said Mr. Ault “has done more for the women's movement than any other man and most women I know. Feminists from all walks of life owe him a profound debt of gratitude.”
She remembered him as a “computer nerd” who was particularly helpful with the group's computer programs, though it was not beneath him to stuff envelopes, answer telephones and handle other “gritty jobs” important to the nonprofit group.
According to Cunha, Mr. Ault inherited his activism from his mother, who would bring her young son along to community meetings.
He leaves his mother, Margaret Ault of Cranford, N. J.; and two brothers Leslie of Closter, N.J. and David of Linden, N. J.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Sachar Auditorium at Brandeis University in Waltham.
