Robert W. Kamb

Robert W. Kamb passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the age of 94 years in the presence of his loving children. He joins his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Virginia (Trider) Kamb on the great dance floor of Heaven. He leaves behind in a mixture of sorrow and gratitude his children Robert Jr. (Rebecca) of East Sandwich, Joseph (Linda) of Walpole, Stephen (Lisa), and Mary, both of Quincy, his grandchildren Lauren, Stephen II (Sheila), Madeline (James), John, Robert III and Daniel, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves his dear sisters-in-law Barbara Kamb of Littleton and Rosemary Houghton of Tewksbury. He concedes that Bob Brill has won the contest as longest surviving Bob of the neighborhood and wishes him continued success.

The youngest son of the late John E. and Susan (Bennet) Kamb, Bob was born in Boston and grew up in the Back Bay area of the city with his late siblings Marie, Dorothy (Freeman), John, Ruth (Buchanan), Theresa (Day), and Eleanor (Rutherford). He had a rough and tumble upbringing but as "the baby", was looked after fiercely and lovingly by his sisters and big brother. After graduating from Boston Technical High School, he joined the Navy and served honorably through a 4-year hitch that turned into 5 years with the onset of the Korean War. After leaving the Navy, he knocked around the Boston area for a few years where he had the great good fortune to meet his one true love, the beautiful Virginia Trider, soon to be Kamb, of Charlestown. After a short residence in a tiny apartment in Charlestown, where the young couple greeted the arrival of their first child, they moved into a somewhat drafty and slightly crooked house in the seaside village of Houghs Neck, Quincy, where they raised their children in their forever home overlooking the playground, back beach and a beautiful, ever-changing view of the Boston skyline (and the Pumpy!).

Bob was gainfully employed by the Boston Gas Co (now National Grid) for 35 years, where his work as a field engineer took him to every corner of the metro Boston area. Long before GPS was invented, he could give detailed turn by turn directions to any point in the city, with multiple options around traffic or construction, and some that involved driving on what may not have been actual roads. After many years of faithful service at the Gas Company, he earned a well-deserved retirement that he and Virginia enjoyed to the fullest. He spent his truly golden years travelling all over the US and Europe with Virginia, his big brother John and his wife Barbara, and came back with hilarious stories of their adventures and mishaps as they traveled near and far.

Dad was a great dancer, thanks to the lead that Virginia provided, and they went to many "times" together at the Quincy Yacht Club, St. Thomas Aquinas hall, Florian hall and other dazzling venues with their friends, neighbors and co-workers, where they got the nicknames "Fred and Ginger" for their smooth and elegant moves on the dance floor.

Bob was an involved and loving father, actively and fully engaged in the raising of his children. He attended, coached, cheered on and supported his children, and later, his grandchildren, in every sport they participated in. He encouraged us all to success, not only in sports, but in all other aspects of life, with his unfailingly encouraging, calming, steadying words that still sound clearly in the ears of his then-young athletes: "You can do this, kid!". He especially encouraged his daughter in her pursuit of sports at a time when women's sports weren't as popular as now. Ironically, in a house full of boys, the only girl became the hall of fame athlete, which made him very proud.

He loved the ocean, and his utter enjoyment was visible to anyone who watched when, after coming home from work on a hot summer day "pushing that car around town", he would plunge into the water at back beach to wash the grit and grime of the city off.

Our father was a wonderful bedtime storyteller, keeping us kids spellbound with fanciful tales of talking lobsters and little girls who laughed a lot, and even headless horsemen, complete with sound effects (much to our mother's despair of us ever getting to sleep) - "to bed, to bed, or I'll have your head!!

Bob was a good Catholic, faithfully attending 7:30 Mass every Sunday at Most Blessed Sacrament Holy Trinity church, helping out as an usher well into his 80's.

Bob had a great sense of humor, and (most of the time) found it easy to laugh at himself, too. Space (and discretion) does not allow all the funny stories to be told, but those familiar will remember with a smile and chuckle the ladder from Bldg. # 19.

In his later years, in addition to wonderful neighbors, he was blessed to have the attention, care, and love of his number one daughter-in-law, Lisa, who along with Steve, Mary, and a continual rotating cast of dear and loving friends, checked every day to see that he always had everything he needed for his care, safety and comfort, and whose love, devotion and sacrifice improved immensely the quality of his final years, for which our entire family is eternally grateful.

Our beloved father was a good man, a solid and steady provider, an asset to his community, devoted husband, loving father, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He led an exemplary life, setting an example for his children of honor, duty, morality, dependability, hard work, reliability, and most of all, love. We will miss him, but we do not mourn him, instead we celebrate his cherished memory and the indelible mark he left on our hearts, and the legacy that carries on in the next generation.

A memorial Mass and celebration of life will be held in the spring.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy. You are invited to visit www.thesweeneybrothers.com or call 617-472-6344.