Robert "Bob" Birmingham Jr.

Pawcatuck - Robert "Bob" Birmingham Jr. of Pawcatuck was born Dec. 27, 1947, in the middle of a blizzard. After using the family horses to plow the steep driveway down to Flanders Road in Niantic, his father, Robert Sr., drove his mother, Eleanor (Avery), safely to the hospital in New London where he was born. Thus began a life of tenacity, hard work, and optimism.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Amber Johnston and her two daughters, Eleanor and Tess of Mansfield; his son Charles Ryan Birmingham, his wife Katie, and their children, Cole, Rowan and Rosalie of Voluntown; Robert's older brother, John Birmingham and his wife Barbara of Niantic; numerous nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, as well as close friends who mourn him deeply. His wife of 55 years, Diane (Tyburski), predeceased him by just over two months. His parents also predecease him, as does his son-in-law, Brendan Johnston.

After graduating from New London High School, Robert earned a nickname, Bing, and worked at the Connecticut Yankee Restaurant in Niantic and Electric Boat in Groton. After two years at Mitchell College, he was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968. Expecting to go to Vietnam, Bing ended up in Korea near the DMZ, and he saw significant action. After his honorable discharge, he spoke with pride of his time serving his country for the rest of his days.

Bob returned home to continue his education at The University of Connecticut, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, and then he went on to graduate school at the University of Vermont.

Bob met his wife, Diane, soon after his discharge from the Army, and they were married within the year. Together they lived in many places in Connecticut and Vermont. They welcomed their children and settled in Pawcatuck, where they lived since 1978.

Bob worked as the Director of Planning for the Town of Stonington for 15 years. During his tenure, interest in development in town exploded. His work in Stonington focused on protecting vulnerable landscapes while facilitating careful economic growth. At the end of this time with the town of Stonington, both Governor Lowell Weicker and First Selectman James Spellman wrote to him with gratitude for his work and in recognition that Stonington will carry his good influence

for many generations.

Bob volunteered with the Pawcatuck Fire Department for years. He also was instrumental in bringing about Pawcatuck Park and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. He spent much of his son's youth volunteering with the Pawcatuck Little League. Early in Bob's planning career, he made a friend who spoke of a Reservation in Ledyard. Together with Skip Hayward, the last native resident of the reservation, Bob wrote the Federal HUD grant that brought the first housing and infrastructure to the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation. For his work, he was paid with cords of firewood. After leaving the Town of Stonington, Bob became the first Director of Planning and Development for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. His work touched every road, home, Community Center, Public Safety building, Museum, the improvements to Route 2, the clean energy plant, and countless other projects that brought economic viability back to the reservation.

After his retirement, Bob bravely endured chemotherapy for 12 years. He fought the cancer valiantly and stayed to lead his family with tenacity, hard work, and optimism. His beloved Boston Red Sox brought him great joy and frustration. His love for his children and grandchildren, teaching them chess, history and all the family lore always brought him great joy.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Thomas L. Neilan and Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street, Niantic. Burial is immediately following at Old Stone Church Cemetery at the corner of Society Rd. and Riverview Rd. in Niantic. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to the New London Hospitality Center in support of their work with unhoused veterans. Please make donations at www.nlhhc.or/donate or send to NLHHC 730 State Pier Road PO BOX 1651 New London CT, 06230. Please write R. Birmingham on the memo line.