Robert M. Sontheimer

Robert M. Sontheimer of Sunapee, New Hampshire, formerly of Belmont,
Massachusetts passed away peacefully at his home on May 11, 2013. He
was 72 years old.


Born in New York City, Bob was the son of Frederick and Lucille
Sontheimer and was the oldest of four children. He attended James
Monroe High School in the Bronx, where he was fast-tracked to graduate
at age 16. A skilled athlete, Bob played baseball and was invited by
the Brooklyn Dodgers to tryout as a pitcher in 1957. After high
school, he completed postgraduate studies at The Dwight School before
attending the Naval Academy from 1958-1962.


While at the Academy, Bob continued to pitch for Navy. He was an
accomplished musician and member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, as well
as percussionist for the Navy Dance Band. In his senior year he was
named one of 24 outstanding midshipmen commended for leadership. Post
graduation, Bob entered Admiral Rickover's nuclear submarine program
and remained in the Navy from 1962-1968. During his naval career, Bob
served on the USS Stonewall Jackson and the USS von Steuben as both a
nuclear power officer and a nuclear weapons officer based out of
Charleston, South Carolina and Honolulu, Hawaii.


Bob received his M.B.A. in 1971 and was named a Baker Scholar by the
Harvard Business School. He was invited to Washington, D.C. to work
for the Wage and Price Commission for one year. In 1972, he founded
Resource Planning Associates, an environmental and natural resource
management consulting firm. For the next 13 years, Bob grew the
business from a small consultancy in Cambridge, MA to an international
presence. For the remainder of his career, he continued to consult
independently in business redesign and health care management and sat
on the boards of several companies.


Bob lived in Belmont, MA for 33 years where he was an active member of
the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist. Throughout his
life, Bob continued his love of jazz and classical music, playing
percussion and timpani for 25 years for the church. Bob was also an
avid runner. He completed the Boston Marathon twice, including the
Bicentennial, and the Marine Corps Marathon in 1980. He continued to
run daily throughout most of his life.
Bob was most proud of his family and he will be greatly missed by all.


He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Frances Harris, his children,
Anne King, Jane Sullivan, and David Sontheimer, his grandchildren
Clara and Caitlin King, his three sisters, Nancy Pence, Laura Feldman
and Joanne Merrill, and 13 nieces and nephews.


Burial will be private. All are welcome to a Memorial Service
celebrating Bob's life, on Saturday, May 18 at 11 am, to be held at
the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist, 404 Concord
Avenue.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's name to the U.S.
Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, the U.S. Naval Academy Friends of
the Jewish Chapel or the First Church in Belmont.
United States Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps
Alumni Hall
675 Decatur Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5086
The U.S. Naval Academy Friends of the Jewish Chapel
326 First Street, Suite 22
Annapolis, MD 21403
The First Church in Belmont
Unitarian Universalist
P.O. Box 113
Belmont, MA 02478


Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, NH is assisting the family
with arrangements.