Brimfield: Colonel Robert H. St. Clair, III, 73, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 2, 2022 in Rose Monahan Hospice surrounded by his loving family following a courageous eleven year battle with cancer. He leaves his devoted wife of 50 years Beth R. (Johnsen) St. Clair; his daughter Nicole St. Clair and her husband David Forziati of Merrimac; his son Shaun St. Clair of Brimfield; his son Daniel St. Clair and his wife Megan of Sturbridge; 3 grandchildren: Logan, Matilda, and Sylvie; 3 step-grandchildren: Nina, Jared, and Gavin; 4 siblings: Terri, Gary, Karen and Kim; and many other beloved family members.
Rob was born in Oxford, MS, son of the late Robert H. St. Clair, Jr. and Sylvia M. (Campbell) St. Clair. His Navy family moved every 2 or 3 years, as duty stations changed. He graduated from Hilltop High School (Calif) and earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus. He proudly served his country as a pilot in the US Air Force, Air National Guard (Hawaii and Massachusetts) for 38 years, retired from flying with the rank of Colonel and moved to JFHQ Massachusetts, HRO for several years. Known as "Lopaka" by his family, he loved flying with his Barnes Air Guard pilots, kayaking with his family, camping on Jewell Island, hot air ballooning, and his time in Maine. Never one to be idle, he was always busy drawing, then building his designs, and working around the house on any number of projects. He was exceptionally organized with a spreadsheet for everything. He adored his time with his grandchildren, teaching them many things such as Hawaiian words and binary math. He gave the best hugs, was a ray of sunshine to all, and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
Burial and committal will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 12:45 p.m. in the MA National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne. There are no calling hours. A celebration of life will be held in the spring at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sturbridge. Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rob's memory may be made to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home or to Veterans Inc. Grove St. Worcester. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.