Robert "Bob" Caldwell, 73, a minister and psychotherapist who lived in Reston for 38 years, died May 19 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

He was born Sept. 10, 1934, in Lumberton, N.C., to the late Annabel Bridger and Robert Caldwell Jr. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and a Master of Divinity from Yale University. He was an associate minister at University Baptist Church in Baltimore, Md., and a senior minister at East Washington Heights Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

The Rev. Caldwell co-founded the Gestalt Institute of Washington, D.C., and was founder and president of the Quest Center for Human Growth in Bethesda, Md. He also was president of the Maryland Mental Health Counselors Association from 1993 to 1994. Since 1985, he was a frequent writer for Pathways magazine.

As a psychotherapist at the Counseling and Guidance Center in Bethesda, he counseled individuals, couples and groups for more than 35 years.

The Rev. Caldwell loved music, photography, theater, scientific journals, the ocean and talking to people.

His son Stephen Caldwell died in 2001.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Erma; his son, David Caldwell, and two grandsons of Ashburn; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be sent to Capital Hospice, 209 Gibson St. NW, Suite 202, Leesburg, VA 20176; or to a favorite charity.