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Rogers and Hutchins Funeral Home

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Arlington, Massachusetts

Robert Cleland Obituary

RINDGE - Robert John Cleland, died suddenly on Oct. 18 in Rindge. He was formerly of Cambridge, Mass.

He is survived by his beloved brother David Cleland and wife Carole; his siter Carolyn Simmons and her husband Kenneth. Known as "Uncle Bobby" to his nieces and nephews, David, Mark, Kenny, Stacey, Lesley, Christine and their wives, husbands and his great nieces and nephews, Jack, Nina, Richard, Olivia, Jessie and Connor. He was the dedicated son of the late Robert and Jessie Cleland.

Bob graduated from Cambridge High and Latin and Boston University. After College he enlisted in the Army serving in the 2nd Battalion Group, 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. On his return, Bob pursued his lifetime dream of teaching and taught for 32 years in the Waltham School system. While Bob was the studious one in the family, he was also dedicated to nurturing others. He became involved in the scouting program at the age of 14 and served in many capacities including Scout Leader and Camp Director at Camp Quinapoxet in Rindge, and continued serving in the scouting program for over 60 years.

He moved permanently to his beloved New Hampshire in 1975 where he worked for the Town of Rindge serving on the Conservation Commission, the Oversight Committee, the Building Committee and served as President of the Rindge Historical Society for many years. Bob's passions were his "land" and his "gardens" and oh how beautiful they both were!!! Bob's life was a beacon to many and can be summed up with the words "Well done Bobby. Enter ye now into the kingdom of God" -you will be missed!!!

Visiting hours will be held at the Rogers & Hutchins Funeral Home, 292 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass., on Tuesday Oct. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Rindge Historical Society, 24 School St., Rindge, NH 03461. A memorial service is also being planned for a later date in Rindge.

Published by Monadnock Ledger-Transcript from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Cleland

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I was just thinking about him so I plugged his name in the internet machine to find to my sadness that he has passed on to the great mountain top. This is one man I wish I could have said good bye to. I can see from the guest book comments that I wasn't alone in my thoughts for him. I always wanted to take one more trip down to Washington DC or Gettysburg or chop a tree down clearing the property up in NH before taking the snowmobile for a ride or climbing Mt. Monadnock. Nothing but great times and memories. He was an inspiration, a mentor, a friend and just one of the best people to walk the planet. You will be missed old friend. Good bye.
Russ Gilfoy

Russ Gilfoy

Student

May 7, 2017

Bob was instrumental in helping me get my first book, "The Old Rindge House," off the ground. A fine man and a fine scholar. He will be missed.
-- Eric Stanway

July 5, 2014

Very sad to hear this, thought about him randomly the other day. Maybe it was the 18th. I dont know. Sad I lost touch with him, but enjoyed every moment in his class and everything he did for me after I left. He will be missed

Nick

October 28, 2013

Bob was a wonderful leader and mentor that will not be forgetten. I did not have him as a teacher, but did have many good memories of trips to NH with friends. Bob welcomed everyone and he will be missed.
Michael Shaughnessy, Virginia Beach, VA

October 25, 2013

May he rest peace

carol propert

October 24, 2013

So very sorry to hear of his passing - have many fond memories of him. My boys will never forget their many unforgettable experiences with him. He was a wonder person and teacher.

Carol Propert

October 24, 2013

I had Mr Leland in the 6th grade . He was a great teacher . Rest in peice sir !!! Donna Landry-Bastarache

Donna Landry/Bastarache

October 24, 2013

I was in my fourth grade classroom this morning preparing to teach my students, when I heard the news about Bob's passing. I was overcome with great sadness. It was “Mr. Cleland” that had inspired me to become a teacher so many years ago when I sat in his sixth grade classroom. It was his teaching that inspired me to want to become a writer. Every year, I still teach the poems that he taught me back then, “Oh Captain, My Captain”, “The Wreck of the Hesperus” “The Highwayman”, and so many more. Not too long after I became a teacher, Bob retired. He would come back to the Waltham Schools and substitute teach, and on many occasions, I would have the opportunity to sit and have lunch with him and talk about how teaching had changed so much. Bob's message was always clear; teaching isn't about the tests or the district assessments and such, teaching is about inspiring the children to learn. Mr. Cleland had inspired me, as a student and as a teacher, and I only hope to instill that same passion for learning in my students as he had done for me. Thank you Mr. Cleland!

Paula Cosgrove

October 23, 2013

I saw Bob on Saturday, October 12 at the Harvest Fair and thanked him for his contribution of a new Christmas tree for Rindge Common. He was in good spirits with his family and now he is gone. My prayers are with his family.

Evelyn Lewis

October 23, 2013

As his student I remember being so into school and learning, while also having fun. Funny that I am a teacher now and I always remember my former teachers and the silly ways they impacted my life. I catch myself saying things like "How soon we forget" all the time when my students can't remember things we discussed the day before. I have even caught myself saying Cleland's little German phrases. He will surely be missed.

Anthony Cardarelli

October 22, 2013

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:

The very fact that I know this poem, its significance and why it is wholly applicable here are a testimony to our teacher.

Mr. Cleland taught us how to be better students, better citizens, and better people - holding us accountable to our own abilities and never letting us settle for less than our best.

Whether it was inspriation quoting poetry or perspiration moving rocks, he instilled and lived values that continue to serve me well today.

Thank you Mr Cleland!
Godspeed to your next adventure.

Martin Crowe

October 22, 2013

Mr. Cleland, my 6th grade history teacher at Northeast Elementary, a master of his craft and more, who demanded the best from his students, and made them realize their true potential, whether inside or outside of the classroom. One of the most influential people in my life, I am grateful to have crossed paths with this man. Thank you, Sir, for all that you taught me and the memories you helped create, you certainly left your mark and will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Keith Propert

October 21, 2013

Mr. Cleland was simply put a great man. I'm sorry to hear this news. He had such a positive impact on so many lives. My friends and family often talk about the weekends we shared with him in Ringe: riding the "Pig" snowmobile, eating giant pancakes, rifle shooting, building fires, the list goes on. The highlight for me was always survival weekend. We also had the benefit of taking a summer trip with him to Gettysburg. He went to such great lengths to mentor us and taught us so many life skills. If only there were more like him. He will be remembered fondly and sorely missed.

Phil Lasker

October 21, 2013

Mr. Cleland was a one of a kind teacher. His passion for teaching, for history, and for learning was immense. I'll never forget the year he taught me during 6th grade at Northeast Elementary in Waltham. Even now, almost 20 years later, I can say he was the best teacher I ever had. It was his passion for teaching that inspired me to become a teacher. His legacy will go on, in all the lives of the students he taught. I'll forever remember the chariot races we did following one unit, racing around the school grounds in homemade togas. Mr. Cleland will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. My condolences to his family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Michelle Bruno

October 21, 2013

Mr. Cleland not only taught us history, he transformed his classroom to make us feel as though we were a part of it. No one up until that point in my education had ever touched that level of excellence, and no one has since. He was one of a kind and always will be. Thank you, Mr. Cleland!

Siobhan O'Callaghan

October 21, 2013

'Mr. Cleland' was my favorite teacher and was one of the reasons I became a teacher myself. He is a constant inspiration for me now in my own classroom. I'm sorry for you loss.

Former Student

October 21, 2013

My deepest condolences to the Cleland family for Bob's passing. He was one of the most influential people in my life. To all the boys of Troop 14, we have lost our friend and leader. We will miss him dearly.

Bob Carlin

October 21, 2013

So sad to hear this news. He was a beloved neighbor and friend for many years to our family. May he rest in the beautiful gardens of eternity.

Davis Family

October 21, 2013

Bob was probably one of the nicest people I have ever had the privilege to meet and work with. I looked forward to having our chats about our gardens and the emails we would share, what a great sense of humor! You will be missed Bob...God Bless

Nancy Martin

October 21, 2013

Mr.cleland was an great man and improved alot of kids lives in waltham i was a patrol boy and remember trips with mr cleland to washington and his camp in nh god bless you mr cleland, frank hill

October 21, 2013

Bob epitomized the Scout Law. He was responsible for changing countless lives for the better, including mine. His wisdom, thoughtfulness and leadership skills were unmatched. His life energy truly lives on in the words and deeds of all us that he molded. Bob will be missed by so many.
Roy Nagy

Roy Nagy

October 21, 2013

So sorry to hear of your loss. God bless.

Howie Mockler

October 21, 2013

Mr. Cleland was the best of the best. I was fortunate to have dinner with him and other Northeast alum a few years ago. We had lots of laughs and retold stories from our time with him many years ago as our 6th grade teacher. He holds a special place in my heart and will be missed. To Bob's family, know that he left a footprint in all his student's paths he crossed. He will forever be remembered as a caring and wonderful teacher. I was able to go onto middle school, high school and even college with the note taking skills I learned from him. God bless. Jill (Barnes)

Jill Wilder

October 21, 2013

Mr. Cleland was one of a kind, whose life should be celebrated. He will forever be my favorite teacher; bringing humor, education and charisma to his classroom each and every day. May he rest easy knowing how many lives he impacted.

Kristin Almeida Enright

October 21, 2013

Mr. Cleland was two of my children's all time favorite teachers. He was a good, good man who loved History and loved sharing it with his students. I remember when my daughter visited his class at the end of the year for the next year.She came home crying saying he told all the students that every child in his class will cry at least once next year and he did not care about tears. She was shocked that a teacher would say that to his incoming class. She begged me to call the principal and ask him to take her out of his class. I did not remove her and he ended up being the most favorite teacher she ever had! He is one who left his mark and will be greatly missed!
The Burke Family Waltham, Mass----------------------------------------

Burke family

October 21, 2013

I hope that his reward is as beautiful as his property in Ringe. Thank you Bob for your help and advice. Dan Pidgeon

October 21, 2013

Bob Cleland, cannot believe your journey here has ended. You were such a great friend to my Dad, such a dedicated teacher. We all respected and loved you.
May we all continue to draw strength from the example of the life you lead: you have now reached the mountaintop.
Much love.
Margaret Cronin Wilson

Margaret Wilson

October 20, 2013

To the Cleland family:

Mr. Cleland was the greatest teacher in the Waltham school system !....I learned more from him than all others combined !

God Bless.

Steve Stafford

Steve Stafford

October 20, 2013

So sorry for your loss. I remember him fondly, he was my homeroom and history teacher in the 6th grade at Douglas MacArthur school in Waltham. May he rest in peace knowing he had such a positive impact on so many young lives.

Peggy Muise Delaney

October 20, 2013

I remember Bob fondly as a teacher and mentor. I enjoyed the weekend trips to his N.H. home with my friends as well as the group trip to Washington D. C.. He was a good man who cared greatly for the kids who had the pleasure of being one of his students. I will always remember Bob. Rest in Peace Mr. Cleland.
Tom Silveira

Tom Silveira

October 20, 2013

Bob was our mentor, teacher, scoutmaster troop 14 and the best role model and young boy could have. Until we all meet again.

Michael Dargan

October 20, 2013

Prayers of peace, love & respect to Mr. Clelands family & friends .
Thank you for being the best teacher ever, thank you for your service to our country and thank you for giving me my love of history!
You will contuine to live on in the lives of every student who's life you made a huge diffeance in!
Thank you Lynn Woods

Lynn Woofs

October 20, 2013

He was my scoutmaster at troop 14 in Cambridge and the best one I ever had. We all learned so much from him.

Rick Ames

October 19, 2013

To the Cleland Family:

Please accept our deepest sympathies. You are in our prayers and thoughts.

Sincerely,

Walter and Michael Sullivan

Walter and Michael Sullivan

October 19, 2013

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Memorial Events
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Oct

22

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Rogers and Hutchins Funeral Home

292 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02474

Oct

23

Funeral service

10:00 a.m.

Rogers and Hutchins Funeral Home

292 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02474

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Rogers and Hutchins Funeral Home

292 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02474

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