Robert Charles Lear, 90, died on July 13, 2019, at Genesis Lebanon Center.
Bob was the second child born to Charles and Ella (Schnair) Lear on December 15, 1928, in Claremont. A descendant of one of the signers of the original charter of the Town of Sunapee, Bob lived and worked on the family farm on Old Stagecoach Road in Sunapee until he graduated first in his class at Sunapee High School in 1945. Bob was especially proud of his class standing because, as he put it, he “was the only boy in his class”. Bob was a World War II veteran, enlisting in the Army Air Corps at the age of 17 after his high school graduation, and serving for four years. Following his time in the Army, Bob took advantage of the G.I. Bill and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1954. While at UNH, Bob was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, another proud achievement. But more importantly to Bob, while at UNH, he also met Jean Davis and they were married on September 4, 1954, following their graduation. It was a meeting of two loving people with inquisitive minds in a marriage that lasted 63 years: several decades into their marriage, they could still be seen completing crossword puzzles together, discussing current events, and studying matters of historical interest.
In 1961, after serving in the Air Force Reserves and while teaching at Sunapee High School, Bob was called back to active duty and continued to proudly serve his country, including nearly two years in Turkey. Bob retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Major.
In 1968, Bob, Jean and their two boys moved back to Claremont and Bob became employed with the United States Postal Service, starting as a substitute letter carrier in Claremont and eventually retiring in 1989 as the Region Safety Officer based out of White River Junction, VT. Following his retirement from the Postal Service, Bob spent as many days as he could tending to what remained of the old family farm in Sunapee, putting in a garden each year for many years and keeping the fields clear of the encroaching woods as best he could. Bob was fascinated by local history, and enjoyed sharing that knowledge with anyone who was interested in learning more about the area.
Bob is survived by his and Jean’s two sons, Richard Lear of Alexandria, VA, and Thomas Lear of Colorado Springs, CO, and five grandchildren, Charles E. Lear II, Courtney (Eric) Samuelu, Caroline Lear, Cathleen Lear and Christina Lear.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Charles Edwin Lear, Jr., and his dear wife, Jean.
The Stringer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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