Robert Orpen, a 7 year resident of Wareham and former 40 year resident in North Carolina and formerly of Charlestown, passed into eternal life on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at McCarthy Care Center Hospice House in Sandwich following a lengthy illness. He was 72 years old.
Bob was born in Boston on July 23, 1940, a son of the late Henry Orpen and Jeanie (UrQuhart) Orpen. He grew up in Charlestown where he attended the Boston Public School system. Bob enlisted into the United States Army on November 9, 1961 and served his country proudly and honorably during the Vietnam Conflict. He was discharged on November 8, 1963 with the rank of Private First Class. Bob taught ballroom dancing for over 40 years where he began his career with Arthur Murray Studios in Boston before moving to North Carolina where he opened his own studios in the Wilmington, North Carolina and Winston-Salem, North Carolina areas. He was very involved in the competitive field of ballroom dancing and judged many competitions all over the world. Following his retirement, Bob donatated his time to the Wareham Y.M.C.A. He was a member of the Wareham Lodge of Elks.
Bob is the devoted father of John Gregory Orpen and James Christopher Orpen. He is the beloved brother of John Orpen of Hull, Jean Raso of N.H., Carol Orpen of Malden, Patricia Simard of Easton, Donald Orpen of N.H., Richard Orpen of Randolph and the late Henry Orpen Jr. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Bob's life Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Bob's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN. 38148-0142.