Robert G. Callahan

Robert G. Callahan of Marlborough died December 17, 2025 at 78 years of age, literally "surrounded by family." His health had been declining for some time due to complications from cancer.

He was the son of the late Joseph and Alice (Crook) Callahan, and leaves his wife of 55 years, Diane Prince Callahan. Robert and Diane met in the Band Room at Framingham South High School in 1963 - when Diane entered the room as a new Freshman carrying her clarinet, Sophomore Robert said to himself, "that's the girl I'm going to marry." After their first date, ice skating on Gleason's Pond, they courted through high school and college, and did indeed marry seven years after that initial premonition.

Robert graduated from Norwich University in 1970, where he studied Industrial Engineering. He served 10 years in the Army Reserves, and began his career working for a number of manufacturing, engineering and financial corporations. His professional orientation evolved towards computer programming and systems analysis, and he applied those skills pro bono on behalf of a number of not-for-profit groups - in particular for Emerge, an organization dedicated to providing counseling and education to prevent domestic violence.

Robert was passionate about his diverse interests. He read widely on topics including paleontology, geology and meteorology. He was active in Toastmasters, and took pleasure in preparing presentations for that group's regular meetings. Recalling his high school band participation, Robert loved music and took joy in encouraging others in their musical pursuits. He was devoted to the Patriots and to NFL football in general - an enthusiasm he shared with his mother Alice. After his father died, Robert and Alice spent many Sundays together, ready for some football.

Lacking siblings, Robert embraced Diane's family as his own. Together with Diane's brother, he built a large raft and a rowboat at the family lake cottage, and as "Uncle Bob," he inspired their nephews and nieces to share many of Bob's own passions.

Robert and Diane shared a love of hiking and the outdoors. They hiked Mt. Lafayette (a 5200' peak in the Franconia Range of the White Mountains) five times, and trekked Acadia National Park in Maine, as well as Yellowstone Park in Montana and Mt. Rainier in Washington. They nurtured their cats (most recently, Felix and Oscar), and enjoyed the life they made for themselves.

As Robert's illness began to demand full-time attention, Robert approached the situation as the Engineer he was at his core - trying to understand his body as a machine with failing parts. Sadly, those failing parts were critical to the mission.

Robert will be remembered by his family and friends with respect and affection.

A Funeral Mass is to be celebrated at St. Bridget's Parish in Framingham on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:00am.

Please consider making a donation in Robert's name to a charity of your choice.