Robert H. Atkinson, Sr., of Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully early Tuesday, 18 September 2018, at Brookdale Dartmouth Village in Dartmouth, MA. He was 88 years old.
Mr. Atkinson is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Elizabeth, and their two children, Robert (Jr) and his wife, Christine, of Charleston, SC and Sarah (Cammiso) and her husband, Marty, of Vienna, VA.
Bob also leaves behind seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his younger brother, John, of Orrs Island, Maine and Ft Lauderdale, FL. He was predeceased by his older brother Theodore (Jr).
Born in Boston, he was the middle son of Theodore and Jane Atkinson of Winchester, MA.
After attending Winchester High School, Phillips Academy Andover and graduating from Hebron Academy, Bob graduated from Harvard University (‘52) and was commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy where he was an officer aboard the USS Chewaucan (AOG 50). He subsequently graduated Harvard Business School (’56). For the next 35 years he enjoyed a very successful career with IBM.
After retirement from IBM, he dedicated the next 20 years of his life to civic affairs in the town of Mattapoisett. Two of his proudest contributions, where his efforts can be seen today, were his involvement with the construction of the seawall around Munro Park (Mattapoisett Land Trust) and the complete renovation and expansion of the Mattapoisett Public Library.
Although physically limited in his later years, Bob continued giving to his community with the donation of his treasured 30 foot sailboat Caithness to Veterans on Deck and the Tall Ship Tabor Boy’s old Captain’s launch, “Buccaroo”, to a group of Tabor Academy students for renovation to her former glory.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, October 6th at 11:00 am at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion, MA. A reception will follow in the parish hall, all are welcome. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Mattapoisett Public Library (www.mattapoisettlibrary.org), the Mattapoisett Land Trust (www.mattlandtrust.org) or Veterans on Deck (www.veteransondeck.org). Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
