Robert Dennis Overholtzer

Robert "Bob" Dennis Overholtzer passed away at the age of 83 on Friday October 11.

Born June 8th, 1941 in Sellersville, PA to Anne Rutter and John Overholtzer, Bob was raised in Lansdale, PA where he graduated from North Penn High. After high school he attended Williamson College of the Trades, where he gained an appreciation for building and design through the masonry program.

After graduation, his path brought him to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale where he studied Product/Shelter Design and pursued graduate studies in Design and Photography. It was here, while working as a research assistant at the SIU Press, that Bob developed a love of publishing that would last a lifetime.

Bob spent close to 40 years building and managing the design department of the Trade and Reference Division at Houghton Mifflin in Boston. His time in publishing took him from Book Designer to Design Manager, and later, to Design Director. Bob's passion for the printed word extended to his membership in the Society of Printers, which he joined in 1973, and led as President from 2001-2003.

A strong advocate for community and regional planning, Bob volunteered for over 35 years with the Town of Hanson, first as an elected member of the Planning Board, and later serving on the Board of Appeals. He also served as the Hanson delegate to the Old Colony Planning council for over 30 years and acted as Chair of the Board from 2004-2007.

He found community as a member of the Mennonite Congregation of Boston and maintained close connections with his classmates from Williamson and SIU. Bob spent any remaining free time as an avid enthusiast of the arts and appreciator of the outdoors- strolling through museums and bookstores and exploring the beaches and woodlands of Massachusetts.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Celia, with whom he shared over 50 years. They first met at SIU, falling in love and eloping. They moved to Massachusetts in 1969 to start their careers and raise a family. They lived in Mattapoisett, Dover, Georgetown, Hanson and Cambridge. In their later years they found themselves drawn to the lush hills of the Pioneer Valley, where Bob was reminded of Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his sister Shirley Johnson in Denton, daughter Gretchen in Toronto and son Nat in Austin.

Those who wish to make memorial contributions are encouraged to consider the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Williamson College of the Trades.