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As the Keystone Policy Center celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, we reflect on the life and legacy of Bob Craig, the organization’s founder. Craig’s remarkable journey—from mountaineer to policymaker—laid the foundation for Keystone’s unique approach to solving some of the world’s most complex challenges. Through his vision, humility, and collaborative spirit, Bob Craig created something that would outlast him: an enduring commitment to bringing people together for meaningful dialogue and action.
From Mountains to Collaboration
Bob Craig’s life was shaped by adventure and curiosity. As a young man, he discovered a love for mountaineering, an activity that fostered resilience, teamwork, and a deep respect for the journey as much as the summit. In 1953, he was part of the historic American Karakoram Expedition on K2, the world’s second-highest mountain. Though the summit was never reached, the team’s harrowing rescue efforts became legendary.
The expedition faced brutal conditions, including fierce storms and treacherous terrain at altitudes exceeding 25,000 feet. When teammate Art Gilkey developed a life-threatening illness high on the mountain, the group attempted a daring rescue. Tragically, Gilkey was lost in an avalanche during the descent, but not before the team’s efforts exemplified extraordinary courage and unity. One particularly dramatic moment involved team member Pete Schoening’s quick action to arrest a fall that could have claimed multiple lives. The event became known as one of mountaineering’s greatest feats of heroism.
Reflecting on the expedition decades later, Craig wrote about its profound impact: “Our chances of getting down thousands of feet over varied and demanding terrain weren’t promising. And yet there was no other choice. We couldn’t leave anyone behind.” This commitment to collective effort and the value of every individual’s contribution would later define his work at Keystone.
A Scientific Lens on the World
Craig’s mountaineering achievements were paralleled by a deep respect for science as a guiding principle. During his tenure as the first executive director of the Aspen Institute, he co-founded the Aspen Center for Physics, a groundbreaking hub where theoretical physicists could collaborate informally. His wife, Terry Craig, reflected on this innovative institution.
“Bob believed the best ideas often emerged outside formal meetings—on chairlifts, hiking trails, or over a shared meal.”
This insight into the value of unstructured yet purposeful dialogue would become a hallmark of what is now known as the Keystone process: a model of collaborative problem-solving that emphasizes trust, neutrality, and a focus on evidence-based solutions.
Founding the Keystone Policy Center
In 1974, following a life-altering experience on a deadly mountaineering expedition in the Soviet Pamirs, Craig was approached by Bob Maynard, president of Keystone Resort. Maynard’s question was simple: “Do you have another Aspen Institute in you?” Craig’s response, however, pointed to a more ambitious idea. By 1975, the Keystone Policy Center was born, built on the principle of bringing together people with diverse perspectives to tackle divisive issues.
Craig’s vision was pioneering. Few organizations in the 1970s embraced the idea of neutral convening as a means to solve contentious problems. His collaborative model brought scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and advocates together in ways that were as innovative as they were effective.
“Bob had the ability to bring people with deeply opposing views into the same room,” said Clint Vince, a longtime colleague. “He didn’t just facilitate discussions—he inspired cooperation.”
Under Craig’s leadership, Keystone tackled issues that remain critical today. One of its earliest successes was facilitating dialogues on nuclear waste management, leading to pivotal policy changes under President Jimmy Carter. Keystone also addressed emerging technologies in the biotechnology sector during the 1980s, balancing innovation with environmental and ethical considerations.
Craig’s commitment to inclusivity extended to tribal engagement. Through initiatives like the Indian Business Roundtable, Keystone fostered partnerships between Native American tribes and government leaders, empowering tribes to assert greater autonomy over water and mineral rights. “Bob’s facilitation helped bridge cultural and political divides,” said John Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund. “He saw the potential for collaboration where others saw only conflict.”
A Legacy Beyond Himself
For Craig, the Keystone Policy Center wasn’t just an organization—it was a chance to create something that would endure. “He wanted his work to be expansive enough for others to feel part of it and continue it beyond him,” said Terry Craig. Today, Keystone’s commitment to neutrality and collaboration remains deeply rooted in his vision.
In Craig’s own words, his legacy is one of “satisfaction derived from seeing a few good things happen—and knowing when to get out of the way.” This humility, paired with his relentless curiosity, defined his life and work.
As we celebrate Keystone’s 50th anniversary, we honor the man who made it possible. Bob Craig’s life serves as a reminder that real change requires not only bold ideas but also the courage to bring people together—even in the face of complexity and division. His legacy lives on in every conversation, partnership, and solution that Keystone fosters.
To learn more about Bob Craig and the founding of the Keystone Policy Center, listen to our three-part podcast series embedded below. Join us in reflecting on his extraordinary journey and the principles that continue to guide us into the future.
