Remembering Robert O. Smith and his many contributions to NESEA

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November 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I wanted to share some sad news that lifetime NESEA member Henry Vandermark sent my way late last night.
Henry shared that Robert O. (Bob) Smith died on November 20th.  Bob was one of the founders of NESEA, and started the Mass Bay Chapter. He was honored with NESEA’ s Distinguished Service Award in 2006 for his many contributions to the organization.
Bob’s wife, Julie, shared that while Bob had Parkinson’s and other facility had failed him he remained very sociable and was well liked in his nursing facility.  She and his step-children Duncan and Cindy were there when he peacefully stopped breathing. Julie asked that Henry contact the old NESEA gang and let them know.
There will be a memorial service and reception at Christ Church Cambridge, Zero Garden Street  (Harvard Square) at noon on Tuesday, December 18. There should be an obituary in the Boston Globe on Thursday.
Without people like Bob NESEA would not be what it is today. He was a teacher to many in our community.
For those who would like to reach out to Julie Smith, her email address is jesmith@rcn.com
Below are some of the comments received from longtime NESEA members about their interactions with and memories of Bob:

Joel Gordes Tue, 27 Nov at 4:23pm

Attached please find a photo of Bob accepting the award and another of him engaged in conversation with Mary Rickle-Pelletier.  He was truly a NESEA original and a great mentor to many.
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Jim Kirby Tue, 27 Nov at 5:59pm

Being fearless and without knowledge, I built a solar heated machine shop in l975.  After that experience, I thought it would be good to find someone who knew something. I found the Mass Bay chapter of ASAS or NESEA. Bob Smith was there along Norman Saunders and Bill Shurcliff, who all knew things and had been working and researching.  Inquiring minds and able teachers.  I thank them all

Jamie Wolf Tue, 27 Nov at 6:18pm

I did not know Robert O. Smith, but obviously, I am standing on his shoulders. What his passing makes real to me is the way in which NESEA is more than the committed community that I share an aspirational identity with.
It is the embodiment of a living legacy that encompasses those who plowed these fields and nurtured this soil so that our practices would each be richer and fuller. In time, and more and more in the coming years, we will be made aware again and again of how richly this community has given, in the thinking and actions of one after another remarkable members, to the ground we continue to gain.
Thank you Robert O. Smith. Thank you to all NESEA members at every stage of your career and the contributions you are each making to our common pursuit.

Alex Wilson Tue, 27 Nov at 7:22pm via email

I interacted with Robert O many times during my years as executive director of NESEA. Always a thoughtful, modest man with a keen intellect. He will be missed. -Alex

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Jennifer M. About Jennifer M.

Jennifer Marrapese is the executive director of NESEA. She is currently in the process of completing her first deep energy retrofit on a home she purchased in South Deerfield, MA.

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