Robert B. Lougee, 83, of Windsor and formerly of Medfield, MA passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 14, 2018 after a brief illness, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born in Framingham, MA to Kenneth Edward and Villa Prudence Lougee. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, supportive brother and caring friend.
He leaves his wife of 56 years, Virginia, his two daughters, Martha and Rebecca, their husbands Kenneth and Patrick, and four grandsons, James, Samuel, Brendan and Kyle. He also leaves two brothers, Norman and Gordon and their families.
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Bob was raised in a musical family which fostered his deep love for music, singing in church choirs from the time he was 12 years old until just a few short weeks ago. He was a talented singer and piano player and had perfect pitch.
Bob graduated from Medfield High School in 1952, spent a year at Mass Radio School learning short wave radio technology and Morse code, and in 1953 joined the U.S. Navy. He spent many months at sea in the Mediterranean and would regale listeners with tales of eating gelato in Italy and of meeting the King and Queen of Greece aboard ship while standing in his underwear.
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After returning from his adventures overseas, Bob graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA in 1961 with an associates degree in electrical engineering and moved to Windsor with his new wife to start a career and raise a family.
Always a proponent of education, Bob knew that a bachelor's degree would further his career, so he took night classes at Central Connecticut State College and graduated with a B.S. degree in Industrial Education in 1972 while his family looked proudly on. While working full-time, raising a family and taking night classes, Bob continued to serve his country as a Navy Reservist one weekend a month and two weeks a year until his retirement ceremony aboard the USS Nautilus in 1987.
His career in technology spanned many decades, starting as a strain gauge technician at Combustion Engineering and culminating as a Service School Instructor for United Technologies. As an instructor, the opportunity to travel took him to Switzerland, South Africa and many places in the US. Bob also found job satisfaction working for Bunker Ramo Corporation, Kaman Corporation and A. I. Prince Technical High School.
Bob was a member of Washington Lodge No 70 in Windsor and volunteered for numerous organizations over the years, including American Youth Hostels. He took visually impaired people for bike rides on tandem bikes and for walks around the West Hartford Reservoir. He was recognized in 1988 for his efforts in building Northwest Park's Braille Trail, enabling visually impaired individuals to enjoy a walk in the woods unaided.
He enjoyed riding his bicycle, an occasional nine holes of golf, traveling by train to Venice, FL and singing in the choirs in both Windsor and Venice, FL churches. One of his proudest moments that he spoke of often and always got a chuckle from was singing with the First Church choir and other choirs at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia and how his watch alarm (which was set for 6am Eastern Daylight Time) broke the silence just moments before the show was to begin.
He was a quiet, soft-spoken man with a big heart and deep spirituality. He was dedicated to his church and to the choir and gave generously of his gifts. He was a kind, gentle soul who will be missed by all who knew him.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10 AM Saturday, April 28 at Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery, East St., Windsor followed by a memorial service at 11 AM at First Church in Windsor, Congregational, 107 Palisado Ave, Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Washington Lodge No 70 Scholarship Fund, 69 Masonic Ave, Wallingford, CT 06492, the First Church in Windsor music committee, 107 Palisado Ave, Windsor, CT 06095 or to the charity of your choice.
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