Robert F. Craig, 85, of Peabody, MA, previously of Danvers, passed away Tuesday, January 14, with his family by his side. Bob was born in 1939 to Frederick and Marie (Bellevue) Craig of Salem, MA. He received a bachelor’s in chemistry from Northeastern University, and in midlife earned a master’s in history from Salem State College. Bob started at Sylvania as an intern through Northeastern’s co-op program and worked there until retirement, starting as an analytical chemist and moving up to manage an analytical lab. A specialist in electron microscopy, he would occasionally use his access to the equipment to take extreme close-ups of unauthorized objects, including an ant who became “Miss May” in the Electron Microscopy Society calendar.
Bob met Fran Patz in the student union at Northeastern and eventually convinced her to marry him. They had many adventures in folk and square dance, hiking, mountain climbing, camping with friends, and later raising two children. He was known for his devotion to his family, as well as his curiosity, bone-dry sense of humor, talent for mimicking accents, and button-down shirts. Bob stayed active throughout his life, taking long walks with friends well into his 80s.
A true Renaissance man, Bob had too many interests to count. He was an accomplished fine woodworker and ship model builder, amateur genealogist, and an excellent cook who had very strong opinions on the proper way to cook fish. He was a volunteer archivist and maritime history specialist for the Peabody Essex Museum, and the size of his book collection was legendary (although Fran made him trim down to a single bookshelf when they moved to senior living). Bob loved his desserts and had an appreciation for peaty Scotch and good bourbon.
Most of all, Bob loved the Lord. He was a devoted member of Trinity North Shore church (Anglican) and served as a spiritual director in the diocese. Theology was one of his passions, and we know he is rejoicing in the presence of God and getting all his questions answered.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances Craig; children Elizabeth (Mark) Ramirez of Madison, WI and David (Karen) Craig of Danvers, MA; grandchildren Robert (Kirsty) Craig and Jessie Craig of Middleton, MA, Emily (Anthony) Johnson of Beverly, Aria (Ashlynne Leitow) Ramirez of Madison, WI, and Samuel Craig of Danvers, MA; two nephews, William Craig Jr. and Antonio Craig; and one very adored great-grandchild, Micah Craig, with whom he had a special bond. He was pre-deceased by his parents and by his brother, William Craig of Peabody, MA.
A funeral mass for Bob will be held on Wednesday, January 22nd at 10 a.m. at Middleton Congregational Church, 66 Maple St., Middleton, MA. Arrangements are by Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity North Shore church (https://trinitynorthshore.org) or Kaplan Family Hospice House (https://www.caredimensions.org).