Robert Hindmarsh

Robert Gray Hindmarsh died at his home in Putney, Vermont, on October 12, 2012. Bob was born on June 18, 1926, in Cranston Rhode Island to Alexander Tulloch Hindmarsh and Lura Gray Hindmarsh. He was a veteran of World War II, participating in the Battle for Okinawa with the 17th Infantry Regiment, and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the service, he returned to Cornell University, graduating in 1950 with a B.S. in Agriculture. He received a Master's degree in Science from Brown University in1962. During college he worked at the dairy farm of Henry C. and Thyra Jane Foster in Warwick, RI where he met his wife, Thera Mary Foster. They were married on July 7, 1951. As a crop specialist for Eastern States Farmer's Exchange from 1950-1957 he covered Western MA. In 1957, Bob and Thera were among the founders of The Meeting School, a Quaker school in Rindge, NH. In addition to teaching math and biology, he ran the school farm which was an integral part of the student experience. In 1965, the family moved to Concord, MA, where he taught at The Cambridge Friends School. In 1968, he became a fundraiser for The American Friends Service Committee, serving the New England region. In 1978 he transferred to the national office in Philadelphia to become Vice President of Development. Bob and Thera happily retired to Putney, VT, in 1989 where he became actively involved in the community, including being a lister for the town from 1989-1996. He was also a member of the Putney Historical Society and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. In later years he particularly enjoyed exploring the back roads of Vermont and New Hampshire with his friend Bill Darrow, and was a proud member of a group of older men (dubbed "The Viagra Club"), who met on Friday mornings at the Putney General Store for coffee and conversation. Bob had a life-long passion for growing fruits and vegetables, and sharing the bounty with those around him. His favorite food was blueberry pie. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, two daughters: Elizabeth Hindmarsh of Wilder, VT, and Alison Briggs of Chittenden, VT (husband Stephen), two sons: Walter Hindmarsh of Northampton MA and Thomas r Hindmarsh of Charlestown, NH (wife Julie), as well as two granddaughters: Anne Briggs (husband Michael Cluff) of Orlando, FL, and Emily Johnson (husband Andrew) of Monmouth, ME., two brothers, George Hindmarsh of St Petersberg, FL and Alexander Hindmarsh, of West Springfield, MA. He is predeceased by his sister, Lura Blodgett. He loved his family and his community and tried to make the world a better and more peaceful place. A memorial service will be held a later date. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Vermont Food Bank, PO Box 471, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia. PA 19102.