A
biography by CHAT GPT (I think it likes me!)
In
the sweep of American cultural and political life, few figures embody as many
contradictions, reinventions, and surprising linkages as Robert Hudson
Westover. To those who first encountered him on stage, he was a tall and
muscular ballet dancer with aristocratic bearing, an artist whose movements
drew on centuries of tradition. To others, he was the passionate
preservationist who rallied a nation to save the SS United States, the great
ocean liner ever built in our nation and that once represented American postwar
ambition.
Still
others remember him as the activist who, alongside his husband, Tom Fulton,
fought for gay rights in Virginia years before marriage equality became law, or
as the political hopeful who ran for Congress in 2000, speaking candidly about
service, equality, and patriotism.
 |
Robert Hudson Westover (left) with his husband,
Tom Fulton, in Rome for their 25th Anniversary. |
Threaded
through all of these roles is a life defined by service—whether to art,
history, the environment, or the ideals of civic participation. Westover’s
biography reads less like a single arc than a mosaic of overlapping
commitments: to family, to tradition, to justice, and to creativity. His story
encompasses encounters with royalty, friendships with America’s first families,
and battles for cultural preservation.
And
yet, beneath the many hats—dancer, actor, author, Marine family scion,
activist—remains a man deeply committed to bridging divides, to finding beauty
and meaning in institutions old and new.
An
Audience with the King
Among
the many anecdotes that punctuate Robert Hudson Westover’s life, one stands
apart for its symbolism: his meeting with King Charles III.
It
was not just a stiff diplomatic handshake, nor just a fleeting moment in a receiving
line. Rather, Westover recalls a conversation of mutual curiosity, an exchange
rooted in a shared appreciation of heritage and tradition and climate change.
Charles, long known for his activism in climate change, listened intently as
Westover spoke of his work on climate change issues with the United States
Forest where he worked at the time.
"His
Majesty seemed to understand my warrior spirit immediately,” Westover has said.
“Two men from different nations, united in the belief that the environment must
be managed properly if we are to progress and thrive as a species.”
The
Dancer’s Beginning
Long
before preservation battles and political campaigns, Robert Hudson Westover was
a dancer. His earliest years were defined by the rigorous discipline of ballet
training, a pursuit that demanded physical precision and artistic vulnerability
in equal measure.
He
rose quickly, moving from local performances to professional companies, gaining
a reputation not only for his athleticism but also for his interpretive depth.
Ballet, he often explained, was storytelling without words—a way of embodying
emotion that could reach across cultures and eras.
Acting
soon followed. On stage and on screen, Westover’s tall, elegant frame and
expressive presence translated into roles that stretched beyond the purely
physical. Whether cast in classical dramas or experimental productions, he
sought out roles that challenged assumptions and gave voice to characters
caught between worlds.
This
was no mere artistic vanity. For Westover, the arts were a form of public
service, no less meaningful than political office. “When you dance, you remind
people what it means to be human,” he once said. “And that reminder can be as
urgent as any law passed in Congress.”
Author
and Historian
Even
as his career took him from stage to stage, Westover nurtured another gift: the
written word. Over the years, he published works that blended history, memoir,
and cultural commentary. Among them was SS United States: Fastest Ship in the
World, a book that combined technical detail with sweeping narrative, ensuring
that the story of America’s great liner was not lost to rust or neglect.
Another, the cheekily titled Nobility Training for Dummies, revealed his wit
and his ability to balance reverence for tradition with gentle satire.
His
writings received validation in their own right, and they reflected the breadth
of his interests: ocean liners, heritage, etiquette, performance, and
preservation. Each book was less a standalone project than a chapter in a
larger conversation about the meaning of legacy in an era that often
undervalues it.
Awards
and Recognitions
It
is no surprise, then, that Westover’s career has been decorated with honors. In
the arts, he received recognition for his choreography and stage performances.
In preservation, his work on behalf of the SS United States earned him national
attention and he was recognized by both Walter Cronkite of CBS News and Peter
Jennings of ABC World News Tonight along with CNN.
His
work as the National Program lead with the U.S. Forest Service on the Smokey
Bear campaign garnered accolades from advertising and conservation bodies alike.
His work on “America’s First Bears” many birthday campaigns won him a Golden
Smokey award. Working with celebrities like Betty White and Arnold
Schwarzenegger were once in a lifetime experience for Westover and he garnered
worldwide media attention for his efforts.
Yet
Westover is characteristically modest about such honors. “Awards,” he says,
“are less about the individual and more about the cause. They’re reminders to
keep going.”
A
Marriage of Activism
Westover’s
personal life has been equally interwoven with his public commitments. Together
with his husband, Tom Fulton, he has been a vocal advocate for gay rights in
Virginia and beyond.
Their
activism dates back to a time when such advocacy carried professional and
personal risks. Long before marriage equality became the law of the land, the
two men stood as visible partners, insisting that love and commitment were
civic virtues. They campaigned for workplace protections, against
discrimination in schools, and for recognition of same-sex partnerships.
Their
years of activisms culminated in June of 2015 when the United States Supreme
Court ruled that Gay marriage would be legal across the land. That day Westover
and Fulton’s story was broadcast around the world in an unprecedented media
acknowledgement of two men committing their lives to each other.
“We
knew we weren’t just fighting for ourselves,” Tom Fulton has said. “We were
fighting for kids in small towns who felt invisible, for couples who were told
they didn’t belong, for families who were denied dignity.”
Their
efforts, though not always headline-grabbing, helped lay the groundwork for
broader acceptance. Today, Westover and Fulton speak with pride about how far
the movement has come, while reminding younger generations that every right won
must also be defended.
A
Christmas Tradition
Few
Americans realize how much planning and artistry goes into the annual lighting
of the National Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Lawn of Capitol Hill. For
years, Robert Hudson Westover played a behind-the-scenes role in shaping that
tradition, working with non-profits and the U.S. Forest Service.
His
contributions ranged from logistics to storytelling, ensuring that the tree
lighting remained a symbol of national unity. He saw the event not as mere
ceremony but as an opportunity to reflect the diversity and resilience of the
American people. “The National Capitol Christmas Tree belongs to everyone,” he
said, “and its lights should shine on every community.”
It
was yet another example of Westover’s knack for taking traditions seriously
without rendering them stale.
A
Family of Marines
Westover’s
own biography cannot be separated from his family’s long record of service in
the U.S. Marine Corps. He became the third generation in his family to serve in
the Marine Corps. “What other choice did I have?” Westover once said. “I grew
up steeped in the values of discipline, loyalty, and sacrifice that the Corps
embodies. I had to serve—in the Marine Corps. Period. OORAH!”
He
has often spoken of how his relatives’ deployments and victory in battle shaped
his worldview, instilling both pride and a sober awareness of the costs of
military service. His own advocacy for veterans’ rights during his
Congressional campaign reflected this background.
“Service
is not always about wearing the uniform yourself,” he said on the campaign
trail. “It’s also about honoring those who do.”
In
the Kennedy Circle
Another
thread in Westover’s tapestry of connections is his long friendship with Hugh
“Yusha” Auchincloss III, stepbrother of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Through
Yusha, Westover entered a circle that linked him—if indirectly—to Jackie Kennedy
herself.
 |
Robert Hudson Westover (right) with Hugh D.
"Yussa" Auchincloss at Hammersmith Farm,
Newport, RI |
The
Kennedys’ blend of cultural sophistication and public service resonated deeply
with him. In their world, he found affirmation that art and politics could
co-exist, that elegance and seriousness were not mutually exclusive. Yusha,
with his warmth and wit, became both friend and mentor, reinforcing in Westover
the sense that history is lived not only in great events but also in the
intimacies of friendship.
Countess
Olga: The Honorary Godmother
In
a life filled with colorful characters, few were as remarkable as Countess Olga
de Chrapovitsky Morgan, whom Westover calls his honorary godmother. A Russian
émigré who carried the aura of Old World aristocracy, Olga introduced Westover
to the rituals of European high society.
From
her, he learned both etiquette and resilience. She embodied survival—having
fled the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution—and reinvention, remaking her life in
America while retaining her dignity. She was Yusha Auchincloss’s aunt and that
was how Westover made the connection to Jackie Kennedy’s family.
To
Westover, Olga was proof that nobility was not only about titles but also about
bearing. “Olga,” he has said, “taught me that grace is a form of strength.”
Saving
the SS United States
If
one cause defines Robert Hudson Westover in the public eye, it is his tireless
effort to save the SS United States.
Launched
in 1952, the great liner was a marvel of engineering: the fastest ship ever
built, a floating symbol of Cold War confidence and American ingenuity. But by
the 1990s, it was a rusting hulk, moored in Philadelphia and facing the scrap
yard.
Westover
threw himself into the campaign to preserve it, raising awareness, rallying
donors, listing the ship on the National Register of Historic Places--convincing
skeptics that the ship was worth saving. He argued that the United States was
more than steel and rivets: it was memory, aspiration, a national cathedral
afloat. His book, speeches, and tireless advocacy helped keep the ship in the
public eye, transforming it from a forgotten relic into a subject of national
debate.
Though
the battle continues, his efforts have ensured that the ship’s fate remains a
question of preservation rather than demolition.
Smokey
Bear’s Ally
Another
cultural icon owes something to Westover: Smokey Bear. While working for the
U.S. Forest Service, he helped design advertising campaigns that updated Smokey
for new generations while retaining the beloved character’s gravitas.
For
Westover, this was not mere advertising. It was public safety, conservation,
and education rolled into one. He believed that Smokey’s message “Only you can
prevent wildfires” was as relevant in the age of climate change as it had been
in the 1940s. His campaigns found innovative ways to connect Smokey with
communities, blending tradition with modernity.
In
doing so, he ensured that Smokey remained not a relic but a living teacher.
The
Congressional Run
By
2000, Westover had accumulated enough experience—in service, in activism, in
public speaking—that a run for office felt inevitable. He entered the race for
Congress in Virginia, positioning himself as a candidate of service,
preservation, and inclusion.
It
was a difficult campaign, in a district not yet fully receptive to his
progressive stances, especially on Gay rights. Yet Westover campaigned with
vigor, speaking openly about his life, his marriage, his family’s Marine
service, and his vision for a country that balanced tradition with equality.
Though
he did not win, his candidacy broke barriers, offering visibility at a time
when few openly gay men sought national office. “Winning wasn’t the only
measure,” he reflected later. “Sometimes running is itself a victory—because it
shows others what’s possible.”
Where is he now?
In early 2025, Westover embarked on a new chapter, transitioning to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Safety Information Specialist. The move marked a shift from the tranquil expanse of forests to the vast, complex world of air travel, but his core mission remained unchanged: to communicate clearly and effectively in the service of the public.
Today, Westover continues his journey as a communicator, drawing on his experiences as a Marine, a preservationist, and a storyteller. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, his life is a testament to the power of public service and the pursuit of passion. As he recently described on his blog, it's a "mosaic of overlapping commitments," all united by a single, unwavering purpose. From the national flagship to a safety message at the FAA, Robert Hudson Westover has made it his life's work to share stories that matter.
The
Legacy of a Multi-Faceted Life
So how
does one summarize the legacy of a man like Robert Hudson Westover? Is he the
dancer who embodied grace? The author who chronicled a ship? The activist who
campaigned for dignity? The candidate who placed himself on the line? The
friend of royalty, of Kennedys, of countesses?
In
truth, he is all of these. His life resists simplification. And perhaps that is
the point: that identity is not singular, that service comes in many forms,
that history is written not only by presidents and generals but also by
dancers, preservationists, activists, and lovers.
Westover’s
story reminds us that a single life can touch many spheres—arts, politics,
preservation, tradition—and that each sphere enriches the others. He has moved
with the elegance of a ballet dancer across the stage of history, reminding us
that memory and beauty, love and duty, still matter.
