Name: Memorial Gathering for Robert Rettew
Start: 2023-09-06T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-06T23:00:00.000Z
Location: The Barn at Bull Meadow

Robert Rettew

Concord, NH - Robert H Rettew, age 71, passed away on July 31, 2023 after a rapid progression of Parkinson's Disease. Bob (Rob, R2) was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 3, 1951 to Robert and Phyllis (Kirkpatrick) Rettew. He was raised in Scarsdale, NY and attended St. Paul's School. After graduating from Yale University and working in the publishing industry for two years, Bob traded the big cities for Londonderry, New Hampshire in search of a quieter life and to focus on writing. There, he worked on a friend's apple farm, where he met his wife Annie. They continued to work together for another five harvests.

He then went on to get his Master of Library and Information Studies at the University of Rhode Island and worked at Inforonics in Littleton, MA and Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA before settling at Salve Regina University for five years. During their time in Rhode Island, all three of their children were born. The family returned to New Hampshire when Bob accepted a position at St. Paul's School, where they lived on grounds for 22 years. While at SPS, he obtained his Master of Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. His professional career was devoted to the well-being and teaching of his students.

Bob was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time maintaining the garden and yard at the home they retired to in Concord. He leaves his wife Annie; children Katie, John and Elizabeth; his sister Robin and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Kirk.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to The Michael J Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org , St Paul's School for funding of scholarships www.sps.edu/make-a-gift , or simply sit and enjoy a book in his memory.

We also encourage everyone to participate in The Michael J Fox Foundation's Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative to research and put an end to Parkinson's Disease at www.michaeljfox.org/ppmi

A memorial gathering will be held on September 6, 2023 at The Barn at Bull Meadow 63 Bog Rd Concord, NH. Please stop by anytime between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 PM.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor on Aug. 11, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Rettew

22 Entries

ROBERT BLOOMFIELD

August 5, 2024

during holidays robert, kirk, and i would get together at his house in scarsdale; with my other high school band buddies from the 'nightcrawlers'.

Joyce Monac

July 9, 2024

Dear Annie,
I came across a terrific note you wrote me 1/15/96. And I read the sad news of your loss of your husband and beloved life partner and the children´s loss of their wonderful Dad.
Please give hugs all around. Such a time we´re living thru.

I´d love to see you and the children. I live in Warwick now, near my girls. I´m retired.
I´m going to Maine
In a couple of weeks.
I´d love to meet. Here or there.
Joyce Monac

ROBERT BLOOMFIELD

January 11, 2024

robert, kirk and i used to hang out near scarsdale high school. i'll miss them both. dr bob bloomfield

ROBERT BLOOMFIELD

January 11, 2024

ROBIR

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Susan Martin

November 1, 2023

Dear Mrs Rettew and family,

I am just leaned of Bob´s passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at SPS for two years. He was a supportive and wonderful supervisor, and just a nice person to be around.

May his memory be a blessing.

Susan Martin

Alex Campaneria

Planted Trees

Stephen Post

September 5, 2023

Bob Rettew. All who encountered you on the journey will miss you for a long time. Thank you for being the devoted classmate that you were, and for doing so much good. Dignity all along the path. Stephen Post 69

Alexis H. Johnson

September 1, 2023

Bob Rettew was devoted to family, community, and integrity. Though he stood tall, standing with him made everything and everyone grow. A little more everyday. He was true. - Alexis `76

Donna McClintick

August 22, 2023

To Mrs. Rettew and family,

For some reason, I thought of Bob today and was looking for his contact information. I am heartbroken hear of Bob's passing.

I was a staff member of the SPS IT department, and I worked for Bob to setup the library system at SPS. He was smart, kind and a wonderful mentor.

There are a few precious people that come into our life that we cherish, and Bob was one of mine.

Livingston Sutro

August 20, 2023

It's hard to know what to say. I'm still reeling from the news. It seems like just a few months ago I was talking to Bob over the phone. He was telling me that he was starting a new Parkinson's medication and he was optimistic, as he usually was. Bob was one of the brightest, most considerate and incisive people I ever had the pleasure of calling a friend, as well as a high school classmate and a college roommate and housemate. Though we did not have frequent contact, I miss him already. I'm sure he is in a more comfortable place now.

Brian J. Murphy

August 15, 2023

I am enormously saddened by Bob's passing. He was a man of great stature, intelligence, good humor and grace. His choices in footwear were impeccable. I shall miss our too infrequent encounters. R2 and Annie and the kids are in my prayers.

Kristin (Schade) Annen

August 15, 2023

I worked a few summers at the SPS Library during the ASP program while Bob was director. He was very patient, wise, and kind. My parents Richard and Heike Schade always enjoyed spending time with Annie and Bob. Sending love to the Rettew family.

Rick Cowan

August 13, 2023

The remarkable Bob Rettew lived for his family and St Paul´s School. I cannot imagine a more devoted alumnus and faculty member. No matter how viciously the political winds blew through Millville, he always maintained his lovely sense of humor and admirable equanimity. The wellbeing and success of students and faculty were always Bob´s top priorities. It´s impossible to overestimate the support and care that he and Annie provided to the SPS community over the years of their service.
And then there was his powerful intellect. I always walked away from conversations with R2 better informed and pondering new perspectives on whatever topic we´d discussed.
All of us given the gift of Bob´s friendship must consider ourselves blessed.

Barbara Talcott

August 11, 2023

Bob was so wonderful to me when we first arrived at St. Paul´s, in the fall of 2003. He was with me on the Armour duty team. It was my first year at a boarding school; frankly, my first year teaching! Bob was funny, warm, curious, encouraging. We could talk at length, and often did. What a great man with a great family as well! I send all my love to Annie and the kids; Bob will leave a real gap behind him.

Ann Lesmerises

August 11, 2023

Dear Annie and family.
I was so sad to read of Bob's passing. I have thought of you so often over the years. When you are up to it, please contact me at annlesmerises@comcast or 603-753-4117. Ann Lesmerises

Larry Fischer

August 11, 2023

So sorry to hear this news.. to the Rettew family, please know I am thinking of you all.. so many memories with Robert, always commenting on his choice of "Chucks", sneakers he was wearing that week... he will be missed...Larry Fischer..

Jen and Chris Makris

August 11, 2023

Our deepest condolences. Wishing you strength in the days and weeks ahead.

Stacey M. Jones Lee

August 10, 2023

To Annie and family, I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing. As an outsider to boarding school culture, I remember Bob as a gentle and welcoming soul who inspired authenticity through modeling in my first years of service at SPS. Greatful.

Rich and Jenny Greenleaf

August 10, 2023

Thinking of you all at this sad time and sending love. He will be so missed.

Diane B. Smith

August 10, 2023

NYC 1975 Bobby Rettew " Yah man, show me your heater!"

Anne Blodget Holberton

August 10, 2023

Bob was a wonderful SPS advisor to students, talented educator and a man of many interests.
His gentle kindness will not be forgotten. Thank you Bob for your kindness, support and understanding towards so many students.

Tom Miller

August 10, 2023

Bob was my faculty old boy when I arrived at SPS in 1994 to serve as development director. He was always encouraging of my better behavior, though rarely satisfied and tried valiantly to steer me clear of controversy--witness his advice to never speak in faculty meetings for a minimum of a year and to understand that newbs were viewed as knuckle draggers by the senior faculty and were thought to be incapable of speech. His best stunt was passing my office in the Schoolhouse basement and throwing in a laundry bag, with the shouted advice, "Shine 'em!" The bag was full of shoes.

Bob was a very good friend and one of the most loyal SPS alumni, dedicated to the school and its students. He was as right minded as anyone I've ever known and as constant in his support for the good in people as he was relentless in pursuit of the bad. He is missed.

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