He remained professionally active until his mid 80s and in 2008 ( at age 79 ) , was appointed the inaugural Presidential Professor of Sustainability Science at the University of Maine , Orono .
Kates had three children , 6 grandchildren and 4 great - grandchildren .
Kates remained professionally active until Kates ' mid 80s and in 2008 ( at age 79 ) , was appointed the inaugural Presidential Professor of Sustainability Science at the University of Maine , Orono .
Kates had three children , 6 grandchildren and 4 great - grandchildren .