Robert E. Weekes (80), of Richmond, NH, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2019 with his family by his side, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Raised in Garden City, NY, Bob married his eighth-grade sweetheart Carol several years after graduating from Garden City High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in 1960, where he led the renowned Colgate 13 men’s a cappella singing group. He also established a Colgate family legacy, with six members of his extended clan graduating from the university to date.
Bob enjoyed a successful career on Madison Avenue, working for several top NY advertising firms in positions of increasing responsibility. He started as an assistant account executive at J. Walter Thompson in 1960 and retired as Executive Vice President at Saatchi & Saatchi DFS Compton in 1988. Bob guided the creation of advertising campaigns for brands in diverse categories. He met and exceeded client expectations, and especially enjoyed making new business pitches and landing new accounts.
Upon retirement, Bob moved to a restored 18th-century farmhouse in NH, notable as a childhood home of President Garfield’s mother Eliza Ballou Garfield. As Bob’s extended family continued to expand, he built a second home on his NH property, with a structural skeleton repurposed from a nearby antique barn.
Bob was a modern-day Renaissance man, with interests and talents in wide-ranging areas. Bob was happiest when climbing mountains, often in his adopted home state of New Hampshire. He cherished the annual Washington’s Birthday climb of Mt. Washington with his close friends and climbing buddies. When not trekking up a trail, Bob enjoyed skiing down other ones.
After Bob’s first wife Carol lost her battle with cancer in 1999, Bob married the second love of his life, Jan, in 2006.
It was rare to see Bob sitting down unless he was rooting for the Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox on TV. You might have found Bob clearing a new area on his land, skillfully crafting wooden furniture, bicycling, hiking and kayaking with wife Jan, restoring historical sites in town, editing books, contributing to town newsletters, singing harmony with friends at impromptu gatherings and Colgate 13 reunions, presiding over semi-annual family gatherings, and contributing to non-profit boards. As a leading member of the Richmond Heritage Commission, Bob’s historical restoration efforts can be seen throughout the town of Richmond, NH. Bob’s relentless energy was evident on his 70th birthday, which he celebrated by bicycling a 100-mile “century” ride with his wife, children and their spouses.
Bob’s love for his family was closely rivaled by his affection for golden retrievers. He shepherded nine Goldens in his home throughout his lifetime, and passed his canine affection to two successive family generations, who have owned too many furry friends to count!
Bob/Dad, you are in our hearts forever. We raise our glasses to you (Jack Daniels, naturally) and cherish the memories of our times with you!
Bob is survived by his beloved wife Jan Weekes, sister Betty Ulsh, children Jack, Jeff, Betsy, Jenny and Julie, and their respective spouses, Lory, Elizabeth, Ben, Dan and Joe, and grandchildren Alex, Brian, Sarah, Emily, Kelly, David, Justin, Katie, and Logan. Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife Carol Thacher Weekes, parents Alice Elizabeth and Herbert Henry Weekes, and brothers Jack Weekes and Dick Weekes.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be planned for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the following organizations:
All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03446. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com
