Robert Edward "Bob" Balser (March 25, 1927 – January 4, 2016) was an American animator and animation director. Balser, together with co-director Jack Stokes, are best known as the animation directors for the 1968 film, Yellow Submarine, which was inspired by the music of the Beatles.[1][2] He also directed the animated "Den" sequence of the 1981 film, Heavy Metal.[1][2][3]