Robert Walter Grande

Robert Walter Grande
Robert Walter Grande of New Hartford, CT passed away peacefully after a long illness on March 24, 2025, at the age of 78. Born in East Providence, RI in 1947 to the late A. Gian Grande and Edna (Taylor) Grande; Bob grew up in the rural Northford section of North Branford, CT where he roamed the fields and forests, worked on local farms and developed an affinity for all things outdoors.
He attended Brigham Young University where he earned a bachelor's degree and met Susan, his wife of 57 years. He particularly appreciated his geology classes with Utah and the nearby Grand Canyon providing pretty good places to study it.
Bob and Sue moved to New Haven, CT in 1969, where he took a job as a city planner with Technical Planning Associates. The couple and their two children, Matthew and Laura, moved to West Hartford in 1974 and started the Webster Hill kennel through which they raised, bred, and showed champion Collies.
Bob started The Grande Insurance Agency in the early 1970s at which he spent the remainder of his life finding solutions and developing relationships. In 1980, looking for a little more room, Bob and the Grandes moved to New Hartford. The kennel was augmented with a hobby farm. The property supported everything from an orchard to kiwis, flowers, vegetables, goats and of course, the beloved Collies. Aside from the dogs, the fruit trees and the goats were his favorites.
Bob was happiest outside and happy to combine that with some hard work as evidenced by the several years that the house was heated by wood he cut on the property. Aside from watching a Yankee game on a rainy day, Bob's interests were mostly focused outdoors. Golf, skiing, fishing and caring for his property all rank high on the list. He volunteered at Ski Sundown with Guest Services for many years. He appreciated the opportunities he and Sue took to travel together. The London Olympics and skiing in the Alps were highlights.
In addition to his wife, son, and daughter, Susan, Matthew, and Laura Grande, he is also survived by his brother, David Grande, sister-in-law Barbara Grande and his nieces, Linnea Grande and Eve Grande.
Visiting hours will be held at the Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 5 Steele Road, New Hartford, CT from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The funeral will be private. Donations to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County at 32 Union St., Winsted, CT 06098 are welcome. Visit an online guestbook at montano-shea.com.