Robert Ward Osgood III passed away peacefully on Feb.1, his 98th birthday, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on Feb. 1, 1928, to parents Robert W. Osgood Jr. and
Eunice H. Osgood.
Bob was a lifelong resident of Marblehead, a town he dearly loved. He attended Marblehead schools, Kimball Union Academy, and went on to graduate from Bowdoin College.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Joan Pryor, in 1949. They were married for 68 years until her death in 2017.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 attaining the rank of lieutenant. He served as chief engineer on the destroyer USS Dashiell, participating in the Korean conflict and traveling the world.
Bob joined State Street Bank in 1957 which began a successful banking career lasting 40 years. At State Street, Bob held a variety of positions culminating in leading the bank’s insurance industry lending group. Bob maintained the bank’s relationships with the country’s largest insurance companies for nearly 20 years.
Bob lived a full life. He loved the outdoors. He spent much of his time with his family at their lake cabin in New Hampshire and was an accomplished hiker and mountain climber. He hiked many areas of the west including summits of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Shasta.
Bob loved being on the water. He enjoyed lobstering and sailing with his family. He was an accomplished woodworker. His projects included wooden boat building, completing four small boats in his basement workshop. He was an avid reader, particularly of history, and a frequent visitor to the Abbot Library.
Bob felt a great connection with Marblehead and its people. He loved walking the town and talking with people, both those he knew and those he met.
Bob’s greatest love was his family. He was a devoted father and grandfather. He developed close relationships with his daughters-in-law and his four grandsons.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Joan Pryor Osgood. He leaves behind his son R. Ward Osgood, his wife, Emily, of Marblehead, and their sons Robert Osgood, his wife Catherine and their daughter Ivy, and Alexander Osgood and his wife Hannah. He leaves behind his son Scott P. Osgood, his wife Francie, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and their sons: Matthew Osgood and Luke Osgood.
A service will be held Feb. 17 at Saint Andrew’s Church, Marblehead, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Abbot Public Library.
