Robert Northrup Jarnis

STERLING - Robert N. Jarnis, 76, beloved husband of Deborah J. (Reilly) Jarnis, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on June 1, 2025. Born in Waltham, MA, he was raised in Newton. Bob was predeceased by his father John G. Jarnis and brother John R. Jarnis.

After graduating from Newton North High School, Bob went on to obtain engineering degrees from Northeastern University and University of Wisconsin. During his career, he enjoyed working with various professional and non-professional staff. Mentoring junior staff was an important part of his career.

Bob was an avid fly angler, enjoying the outdoors that fly fishing provided. He helped several "worm dunkers" transition to the fine art of fly fishing.

Bob and Deborah's enjoyment of world-wide traveling which began just one day after their marriage when starting their Peace Corps assignment in Kenya. They continued traveling for many years up until 2020. Over the years, the family lived in Singapore. Bob's work took him to India, British Virgin Islands, Saudi Arabia, and China. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they enjoyed a romantic cruise along the Danube River.

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife of 54 years Deborah Jarnis of Sterling; his mother Nancy Jarnis of MI; his two sons, John Jarnis and his wife Jill of Sterling, and Matthew Jarnis and his wife Staci of Burlington, NJ; two brothers, George Jarnis and his wife Gloria of Waltham, and Daniel Jarnis and his partner Jill Brown of Woodbury, VT; his two sisters, Janet Malley and her husband Kevin of Ann Arbor, MI, and Martha Jarnis of Salem, MA; four grandchildren, Megan, Jackson, Maisie, and Reilly Jarnis; his sister in law, Jane Jarnis of Falmouth; several nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews. Bob and Deb enjoyed the many gatherings of family and friends over the years.

In accordance with Bob's wishes, his body was donated to the Anatomical Gift Program at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester. Funeral services are private and arrangements are under the care of Miles-Sterling Funeral Home & Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road in Sterling.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to Brigham and Women's Hospital, Development Office, c/o Pulmonary Fibrosis Research, 263 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, or Water For People, PO Box 5185, Boone, IA 50950, or Notre Dame Hospice, Attn: Development Office, Notre Dame Health Care Center, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.