Obituary of Robert Peckham Wentworth

Robert Peckham Wentworth, 81, died early Wednesday morning, July 6, 2011 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers after a short illness. Robert ,(known as Bob), was the devoted husband of 55 years and is survived by his wife Barbara (Lindquist) Wentworth of Peabody and his children Scott Wentworth and his companion, Cynthia Coletti of Lynn, Linda Monte and her husband Charles of San Rafael California and Tracey Foster and her husband David of Milford Ct. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Russell and Desiree Wentworth and David and Jessica Foster and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Alex Wentworth who died last year and the brother of the late Virginia Reel. Bob was a true and loyal friend to many. He was born and raised in Saugus. the son of the late Harry and Leila Bliss (Peckham) Wentworth who were long time residents there and had resided in Saugus until he was 31 years old before moving to Peabody. Bob was honorably discharged from the US Army after serving in the Military Police during the Korean War from 1951 until his discharge in 1953. During that time he was stationed in Germany where he gained a great affection for the German People and their culture. He returned to Germany many times since his years of his service and stayed active with his friends and comrades from the armed forces days enjoying world-wide travels with them. He was a member of the Berlin US Military Veterans Assn and the 759th Military Police Battalion former member Assn. Bob was truly a people person and during his tenure at Hood Milk Inc, he was instrumental in initiating a cutting-edge program for delivering nutritious food to single mothers living in the poorer parts of Boston. He was a life-long patriot of our country and was adamant that all who reside in America be entitled to enjoy freedom and equality. Bob retired from Stop and Shop Stores in 1995 as Vice President of Human Resources in a career that he loved. His people skills and compassion were well suited to his role as negotiator with major unions, always seeking middle ground for agreement. He was a man of strong convictions and passion, but always fair. He had been an inspiration to many for how we live and to care for others. He will be missed by many. In his retirement, Bob helped write and edit two books on memories of Saugus, “Gathering of Memories" and"Of Time and the River". Both are memoirs of a Saugus resident. A Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral home at our downtown location at 20 Church St., Peabody and also on Monday from 10:15 until 11:00 AM. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Saugus. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice of No Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite 102 B, Boston, MA 01923 in his memory.