Robert Waldo

1941 - 2020

Robert R. Waldo

Dennis - "Rise and shine. It's a great day to achieve. Your aim, the sky; your goal, the stars!" This is the reveille that Robert "Bob" Waldo of Dennis, Massachusetts greeted his children with most mornings. Bob believed in making the most of every day. He took great joy in life's simplest pleasures, including puttering in the garden, multiple daily trips to DPM, cooking and sharing family meals, walking to the park with his grandchildren and sharing cocktails with friends. The epitome of a gentleman, Bob was authentic, kind, and always took care of his community. He was a cherished neighbor, counselor and confidante to many.

Bob passed away on Friday, May 8 following a brief illness. The streets of Dennis will be safer, but never the same, without him cruising through town on his red Vespa.

Well-known for his infectious smile and ready laugh, Bob's days unfailingly began by bantering with locals over coffee at the Underground Bakery, often with his granddaughter, Eve, at his side. Bob loved the ocean, his skin well-tanned, exploring new destinations and scheming how to escape the winter cold.

Born April 12, 1941 in Akron, Ohio, Bob was the devoted son of the late Ralph and Jane (Raynolds) Waldo. As a child, Bob spent summers at Cape Cod Sea Camps, and later as a waiter at Chillingsworth in Brewster. After graduating from the University of Miami in 1964, Bob attended Boston University where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1967. He practiced law in Worcester and Barnstable Counties from 1969–2010 and was a member of the Worcester & Massachusetts Bar Associations. Bob married the love of his life, Martha Nolan, in 1981 in Boston.

In 1987, Bob and Martha made their home in Dennis after enjoying summers in the area for many years. Not content to limit his career to law, in 2000 Bob purchased and managed Contrast Bistro in Dennis. Bob volunteered his time and skills as a pro bono attorney and was an active member of Dennis Union Church where he served as a Deacon and faithful member of "the pick-up crew" for their Annual Auction. He also served on the Olde King's Highway Historic Committee and as Chairman and host for the Fresh Air Fund of New York.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Martha, daughters Sarah and Leandre Meggin; adored grandchildren Emily, Eve, Evan and Anya; brothers Ralph and Edwin Waldo and sister Julie (Waldo) Gill; Mary, Joe, Anne, John, Francis, Cecilia and Chris Nolan, their spouses and children; friends that were family, Al Johnson, Emily, Abby and Noah Tinsley, Theresa "Tay Tay" Martinez, Diego Monsalve, Jeff, Amanda, Norah and Julia Herzberger, Greg and Katie Tyler, and his Sigma Chi brothers. Bob's life was made ever more rich by the lifeblood of Dennis Village and those who laughed, cried, cheered and cheers'd with him and his family.

Bob is now with his son, Charles, and grandson, Henry Patrick.

A celebration befitting of Bob's bright life will be planned for as soon as closeness can be enjoyed again.