Robert C. Ebbeling

Robert C. Ebbeling, a longtime pharmacist and dedicated community member, passed away Saturday, Feb. 21 at age 82. Born on July 21, 1943 in Whitinsville, he was the son of Robert G. and Eleanor (Allenquist) Ebbeling.

Bob was a 1961 graduate of Northbridge High School and went on to serve in the Air Force in Texas and Louisiana, where he trained as a pharmacy technician. After his discharge, he returned to Northbridge before enrolling in Hamden College of Pharmacy in Holyoke. That education set the course for a career defined by neighborly service. He worked at several local pharmacies before finding his home at Flagg's Pharmacy in Whitinsville.

Bob took ownership of Flagg's in 1991, running the business with care and dedication. Under his leadership, Flagg's continued its sponsorship of youth sports teams and town fundraisers. Bob was a steady presence at "the store" - practical, dependable, and always willing to do a favor for his customers. He had a dry humor and an easy patience, never much minding when his mother-in-law borrowed the newspaper only to return it later for resale. After selling Flagg's in 1999, he continued working as a pharmacist until his retirement. Beyond the counter, Bob gave back to his community through active involvement in local government, serving on the Northbridge Conservation Commission and the Planning Board.

Those who knew him will remember Bob as quiet and wry, with a restlessness that kept him outdoors and perpetually busy. Bob always had an active project or 10. He could usually be found puttering around on a tractor building a stone wall or in his workshop with a Johnny Cash eight-track booming while tinkering on an old machine. There was always a dog or two close by. His family is forever grateful to every eBay user who helped keep the clutter to a minimum by purchasing one of Bob's antique bootjacks or milk bottles.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patricia (Hall) Ebbeling; his daughter, Vanessa Hill and her husband John, of Hopkinton; his son, Seth R. Ebbeling, of Northbridge; and his cherished grandchildren, Juliet and Luke Hill. He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Nydam of New Hampshire, Gertrude Saucier of Florida, and Barbara Rogers of Whitinsville; siblings-in-law Penny and Peter Kapolka of Hanover, Robert Hall of Connecticut, and Art Hall of California; and many adoring nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, George A. Ebbeling, and his mother-in-law, Helen (Deschene) Hall.

To honor Bob's wishes, there will be no services. Instead, his life will be joyfully celebrated at an open house from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at The Barn at Blackstone National, 227 Putnam Hill Road, Sutton, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bob's memory to Mass Audubon or the Sterling Animal Shelter, two causes that reflect his deep love for animals and nature.