Robert G. Raymond passed away on April 2, 2022, two years after the death of his wife of seventy-two years, Jean Raymond. Bob and Jean lived in Milford from 1957 until 1998, where they raised their three sons, Daniel, James, and Jonathan. While in Milford, Bob was president of Hendrix Sales, Inc., and vice president and general manager of Hendrix Wire and Cable Company, a director of the Souhegan National Bank, and president of the Milford/Amherst Chamber of Commerce. Bob and Jean were active in the Milford Congregational Church and other community and charitable organizations.

Bob was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1924, the second child of Frank and Charlotte (Robertson) Raymond. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1942. Bob’s college education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, then known as Massachusetts State College, was interrupted by World War Two. In 1944, Bob enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After flight training, Bob was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, 94th Bomb Group, 331st Squadron, initially as a co-pilot and then as a pilot of B-17 bombers based in Bury St. Edmunds in England, completing thirty-five combat missions over Europe and earning an air medal with five oak leaf clusters, and, as attested by a certificate signed by the base commander, membership in the “Lucky Bastards Club,” for flight crew members who survived a full tour of duty.

After the war, Bob returned to UMass, where he was a captain of the 1948 football team. Bob and Jean, also an Auburn High School and UMass graduate, were married in 1948, and Bob graduated in 1949 with a B.S. degree in electrical engineering, in the first class of the new electrical engineering department. After college, Bob and Jean lived in Holden, Massachusetts, where he was superintendent of the Holden municipal electric department, before moving to Milford.

In 1998, Bob and Jean moved to Chatham, Massachusetts, where he continued working in the electrical utility industry until his mid 80’s. Bob and Jean were members in the Chatham Unitarian Universalist Meeting House and, as they did in Milford, continued to volunteer in nonprofit and community organizations. Bob lost balls regularly at the Chatham Seaside Links and, in the last two years when he could no longer play golf, walked the length of Main Street almost daily.

In addition to Bob and Jean’s three children, members of Bob’s family include two daughters-in-law, Jane Raymond and Linda Raymond; six grandchildren, Jennifer Whitehouse and Anne, Peter, Lindsey, Justin, and Ethan Raymond; and two great-grandchildren, Cooper Whitehouse and Wilder Raymond. Bob’s sister, Dorothy Raymond, lives in Chatham; his brother Richard Raymond predeceased him in 2009; and he has many cousins, nieces, and nephews on Cape Cod and elsewhere.

Formal photographs of Bob throughout his long life show a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He was attentive, caring, and accomplished. He will be missed.

A memorial service for Bob will be held at the Chatham Unitarian Universalist Meeting House on Saturday, April 23, at 11:00 a.m. Bob’s and Jean’s family suggests that contributions in their memory may be made to the Wadleigh Memorial Library Development Fund. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.