Richard F. Schober

Richard F. Schober, Age 88, of Arlington, MA, son of the late Herman F. and Mary Jane (Beer) Schober, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2013. He was the loving husband of Meredythe J. (Phelan) for 59 years. Devoted father of Nadine Lombard and her husband Buck of Arlington, Richard, Jr. and his wife Maureen of Templeton, and Diane Marquis and her husband Jon of Pelham, NH. Proud grandfather of nine granddaughters: Leah (Lombard) Sylvester and her husband Bob, Tara (Lombard) Lamont and her husband Jake, Elena (Lombard) Woychowski and her fiance Tommy Hogan, Heather and Samantha Marquis, and Saffron, Ameriah, Noelani, and Keziah Schober. Dick also found joy in the company of his five great-grandchildren: Sean and Brody Sylvester, Madison and Kaylee Lamont, and Cameron Woychowski. A World War II Army veteran, Dick served in the Signal Intelligence Corps stationed in New Delhi, India, part of a team translating Japanese code. This group, in retirement, formed the Black Chamber Society of which he was a proud member. Educated in Arlington's public schools, Dick attended Crosby School and Junior High East before graduating from Arlington High School in 1940. Dick was a graduate of Northeastern University School of Business Administration, Class of 1948, where he was president of the Glee Club. He was first employed as account manager for Jordan Marsh Company and then became personnel director at Daggett Chocolate Company. The majority of his business career was spent as executive director of several trade associations: Printing Industries of New England (PINE), Mass. Safety Council, and Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC). Following retirement he worked part-time for American Alarm & Communications. Dick found great pleasure during his adult years as a baritone soloist/choir member at North Congregational Church in Cambridge and Park Avenue Congregational Church in Arlington for a total of 66 years! Dick and his wife enjoyed watercolor painting and numerous trips with the Road Scholar Elderhostel Program. He was admired by many for his faithfulness and attention to detail. He was a truly remarkable man - a member of the rapidly-diminishing "Greatest Generation" who will be missed by the many who knew him. A private burial with military honors took place at Mt. Auburn Cemetery on January 10. There will be a memorial service celebrating Dick's life and his and Meredythe's 60th wedding anniversary at Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Rd., Arlington, MA on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Friends are most welcome to attend the service followed by a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. For updated information and the opportunity to share a remembrance of Dick in his guest book, please visit devitofuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Dick's memory to Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road, Arlington, MA 02476 or a charity of your choosing.