Robert Lorraine Graham Jr. of Pembroke, a Korean War veteran and beloved husband of Judith Lee Graham, passed away at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, on Monday, January 14th after a valiant battle with Lymphoma.
Born in Boston on September 24th, 1931, Bob lived in Hingham and E. Longmeadow prior to moving to Pembroke as a permanent resident 10 years ago. Previously, he had spent – seemingly a lifetime – growing-up on Oldham Pond in Pembroke enjoying his favorite pastime – sailing.
Bob had a long and diverse career. However, his life’s accomplishments can be summed-up in a word: educator. After graduation from Northeastern University, he began his career as the Assistant to the President at Wentworth Institute, followed by a position as Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University, officially launching his career as an educator. Subsequently, he served as professor at a number of universities in Massachusetts, including Suffolk University, Springfield College and American International College.
Bob’s passion for education – along with his success as a professor – helped catapult him to the Assistant Dean of the Business School at Suffolk University, as well as his subsequent position of Dean of the Business School at American International College. During his tenure there, Bob founded the school’s first ever Master of Business program and also served as the school’s Chairman of the Marketing Department.
During this time, Bob decided to take a sabbatical to be the Personnel Director at the Manhattan office of Price Waterhouse. Bob also was a consultant earlier in his career with Coopers & Lybrand. He always wanted to work abroad and fulfilled this dream by accepting an opportunity to teach a summer program at The American College of Greece in Athens, and then accepted an appointment to create and design the Business School for The Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. While there, he traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, Europe, Malta and Egypt.
After a lengthy and successful career in education and consulting, Bob chose to “retire.” To Bob, retirement was establishing and executive coaching business.
His personal accomplishments are as wide-ranging as his career. Bob earned his Eagle Scout as a young teenager and also was a Past Master Counselor of DeMolay. He was a 50-year member of the Masons, Captain of the Guard, Emeritus of the Aleppo Temple, Past President of the South Shore Shrine Club, Director of the Hanson Athletic Association, and Member of the Board of Trustees of First Church in Pembroke.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Judith, his son, Rob of Windermere, FL, his daughter, JoEllen of Pembroke, his two grandchildren – Nicholas and Katarina – of Windermere, FL, his nephew, James Graham and Niece, Patricia Graham.
A celebration of life, memorial service will be held at First Church in Pembroke, Center Street, at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 19th. Internment at Pembroke Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: First Church in Pembroke, Robert Graham Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 576 Pembroke, MA 02359 for the care and maintenance of the church he so loved.