CONCORD, N.H. — Robert Viles, a former dean and president of the Franklin Pierce Law Center, died Aug. 9 in a swimming mishap while vacationing in France with his wife. He was 60.

Viles was swimming off the coast of Brittany when he was pulled under by ocean currents. The Concord Monitor quoted friends of Viles as saying that he was pulled ashore but attempts to revive him failed.

Viles, originally from Skowhegan, Maine, studied law at New York University and Yale. He moved to New Hampshire in 1973 to help start Franklin Pierce.

He became the school’s dean in 1976, a position he held until 1997. In 1992 he also became the law center’s president.

He stepped down as president in June to become vice chairman of the board of trustees.