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| Mr. Merriam c. 1965 |
CONWAY
- Robert L. Merriam, 90, of Conway died Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at home.
Born
in Greenfield, June 4, 1924, he was the son of Louis Thayer and Alice
(Abercrombie) Merriam. Bob raised his family and spent his career in Franklin
County, where he influenced the education and lives of thousands of young
people since 1948.
He
graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1943 and immediately entered the U.S.
Navy's V-12 program. He interrupted studies at Dartmouth College to serve on
the USS Boston, and his ship was anchored nearby at the surrender in August
1945. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant, j.g.
He
returned to graduate from Dartmouth in 1948, where he was the only four-year,
three letter athlete in the college's history, excelling in soccer, hockey and
lacrosse. He returned to Deerfield Academy, dedicated to the services of Frank
L. Boyden and the school as an educator, coach and administrator for 22 years.
Through
the years, he was a dormitory master, member of the English Department,
Registrar, Dean of Students, fund-raiser, and coached hockey, soccer and
lacrosse. In 1970, he became Headmaster of Stoneleigh Burnham School and led
the school through a period of transition, leaving it with an increased
enrollment, an improved financial position and a strong foundation in the arts.
The latter part of his career was at Greenfield Community College serving as
Assistant to the President and Director of Development, retiring in 1988.
He
started a Rare, Used, and Old Book business in 1969 and engaged in business
with customers worldwide. He is a published author and one of his poems can be
found inscribed on a plaque at the north entrance to Old Deerfield, Mass. He is
also a locally known primitive painter and his paintings of Franklin County
town commons can be found hanging in many area homes.
He
leaves his devoted wife of 57 years, Mary Nims McDonald, who was a stalwart
supporter and partner throughout his boarding school career and a tireless
caretaker in his later years. He leaves four children, Robert of Vermont,
Melinda O'Brien of Branford, Conn., Susan Bobe and her husband Viorel of Leyden
and Abigail Merriam and her husband Mark Kidder of Montague: eight
grandchildren, Mindy Merriam-Alexander, Eshalla Merriam, Casey, Betsey and
Charlie O'Brien and Christine, Alyssa and Jennifer Bobe; and one
great-granddaughter, Avielle Alexander.
An
internment service will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Laurel
Hill Cemetery, Eaglebrook Hill, Deerfield, Mass. A Memorial Service and
reception will be held at a later date in August.
Published in The Recorder on July 26, 2014. Photo courtesy of Deerfield Academy.
