Deceased April 14, 2021
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In Memory
Bob prepped for Amherst at the Loomis Chaffee School in his hometown of Windsor, Conn. He majored in economics under the watchful eye of Professor Colston Warne, lettered on the Jeffs’ outstanding swim team, developed his musical talent as a trombone player in the marching band and member of the Choir and Glee Club, and was a Masquer at Kirby Theater.
Bob joined a strong pledge class at the youngest fraternity on campus, Phi Alpha Psi, making lasting friendships and, most notably, finding Marcia Bourne, Smith ’53, whom he married in his first year at Harvard Business School. With his MBA in 1954, and the Korean War just ended, Bob became a Navy second lieutenant, with duty on a destroyer and submarine tender.
The first phase of Bob’s 32-year business career utilized his economics background and talent for solving challenging math problems in his position as manager of finance at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Conn. He arrived just as Hamilton began developing electronic controls for jet aircraft.
Bob and Marcia raised three children in their 1840s home, renovated over time by Bob’s improving carpentry skills. He spent his spare time as chairman of the school board and town treasurer of Granby, Conn.
Bob accepted Choate’s offer to become business manager in 1969. He was elected president of the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials and was an active Rotarian. While at Choate, he married his second wife, Lynne England, whom he introduced to classmates at our 50th reunion, before eventually retiring to Rockledge, Fla., in 1990.
Bob’s combined families extended to seven great-grandchildren by the time he died on April 14, 2021. During his long journey with Alzheimer’s, his family could always bring a smile to his face by singing “Lord Jeffery Amherst” again.
Nick Evans ’52 (with gratitude to Robyn Barber Miller)