Desert Studies Center site manager, killed in crash, will be missed, says Cal State Fullerton

Rob Fulton found his dream job before he even graduated from Cal State Fullerton.

As a graduate student in 1979, he visited the California State University Desert Studies Center in the Mojave Desert to help renovate the scientific outpost. He landed the job as the center’s first year-round manager in 1986.

Fulton, 63, was identified June 28 as the motorist whose body was found outside a vehicle that plunged off Highway 243 in the San Jacinto Mountains three days earlier.

Fulton maintained a cabin in Idyllwild but was the live-in site manager of the Desert Studies Center, which is operated by a consortium of seven Southern California CSU campuses, with CSUF providing administrative oversight.

“Rob was the soul of the Desert Studies Center. He will be missed,” said CSUF’s Darren R. Sandquist, professor of biological science and director of the consortium.

Fulton, who earned his master’s in biology in 1984, called it his dream job to work as the site manager at the scientific outpost, where thousands visit each year, including students and faculty who work on research projects and convene for meetings and classes. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said in 2003.

Fulton, a recipient of CSUF’s 2004 Outstanding Staff Award, was responsible for all aspects of facility operations, health/safety and guest services, regulatory compliance, record keeping and managing relationships with contractors and agencies. Fulton also taught courses there for UC Riverside Extension and lectured to visiting groups.

“The environment is beautiful to me. I can enjoy watching the seasons change. There’s no limit of opportunities to explore,” Fulton said in the fall 2003 issue of Titan Magazine.

“Rob was an expert on the natural history of the Mojave Desert and contributed to the education of thousands of desert enthusiasts,” a statement from CSUF said.

Family members had reported Fulton missing on June 12 amid worries about health. He didn’t show up for meetings with friends on June 25, the day his car was discovered 100 feet over the side past Vista Grande Road toward Banning.

A memorial service was held July 2 in Bonsall. Cards and messages to Fulton’s family may be sent in care of the CSU Desert Studies Consortium, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831.

Staff writer Brian Rokos contributed to this report.