Robert Joseph Stack

1948 - 2021

Robert Joseph Stack passed away on December 9, 2021 at home, with the love of his family surrounding him. He was born on October 11, 1948 to Robert Louis Stack and Clare Stack. The youngest of three brothers, Robert grew up in East Orange, NJ, as a precocious and bright child who loved learning and mischief. He is predeceased by his parents, and is survived by his brothers John and James and their families.

During his childhood, Clare fostered many young children in their home, and Robert and his brothers grew up learning how to change diapers and prepare bottles for the babies who lived with them. One of those babies stayed for many years and became a member of the family; Robert was fond of and kept in touch with his little sister Maggie throughout their lives.

Robert was a talented athlete who loved playing basketball, whether joining a pickup game on the streets of Newark or on the courts of a monastery with the monks of The Marian Fathers.

In 1968, Robert joined the Air Force. During his tour of duty, he served in the intelligence unit and was stationed in Hawaii where he loved riding his bike along the roads and beaches. After leaving the Air Force, he found his way to Vermont, settling in Packer's Corners, where he lived on a commune learning to farm, steward the land and resources, and especially enjoying the opportunity to tend the pigs and to make hard cider. In addition to his work at the commune, he spent his years before finding sobriety doing odd jobs at many local establishments, most memorably at The Common Ground where he discovered the satisfaction of rolling up his sleeves to do the dishes.

Throughout his many years in the Brattleboro area, Robert served as a school board member in Guilford, and Brattleboro, a guardian ad litem, a board member at the Brooks Memorial Library, a volunteer at Bridget's Kitchen, a BCTV talk show personality, and a mental health counselor and recovery coach. As someone who found profound meaning in the work of recovery in his own life, Robert was dedicated to helping others on their own journeys with alcohol and substance use. In service of this calling, Robert attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for his bachelor's degree, and Trinity College for his master's degree in mental health counseling. He went on to work at the Brattleboro Retreat helping people living with substance use, and undertook acts of service as a dedicated member of the Alcoholics Anonymous community for many years.

His greatest work and achievement lay beyond his rich career and community service: Robert cherished raising his daughter Maeve. He cited the opportunity to be her parent as the most transformative undertaking of his life, and took great pleasure in all of her interests and accomplishments over the years.

Robert's passing has left the Brattleboro community darker in this darkest of months, and many will miss the warm light of his friendship and service. Robert leaves behind his daughter, Maeve Jenks and her husband Dan, and his beloved grandchildren Dylan, Tucker, and Molly. He also leaves his wife and partner, Andrika Donovan and her family, especially her grandson Felix Staveley, with whom he was very close.

A funeral service and burial will be held for family and close friends at 1:30pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church. A memorial service will be held at the Brooks Memorial Library on December 19 from 1:00 to 4:00pm for all who wish to pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Brooks Memorial Library or St. Michael's Catholic Church.