Robert C. Cabot

Robert C. Cabot was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 1, 1938 to Powell and Virginia (Curtin) Cabot. He died peacefully November 16, 2010 at the Charlwell Nursing Home in Norwood, MA.
Bob graduated from Milton Academy in 1956. He earned his BA from Harvard University in 1960, where he was a member of the Porcellian Club, sang with the Krokodiloes, and wrote “Run for the Money” for the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, and his MA from Pembroke College, Oxford in 1963, where he rowed. Bob was a Sergeant E-5 in the U. S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged from service in 1968.
Bob Cabot loved his family and friends. He treated everyone he met with respect and took interest in people from all walks of life. He carried himself with dignity and treated others with that same dignity. He was kind, warm, and friendly to everyone he met. Bob cheerfully announced his presence with a loud, clear, lilting whistle that could be heard near and far. This good cheer followed Bob around and elevated the spirits of all those around him. When not whistling, Bob presaged his appearance with the sound of booming laughter.
Bob was most happy working in his garden, digging in the earth, bending his back to turn the soil and bring lovely green things out of the dirt. He planted flowers as well as vegetables and was always happy to stroll through the garden, pointing out his favorite plants and calling them by their full names. He particularly enjoyed Japanese Maples, an interest he shared with his Sister Lucy.
Bob loved to spend time in North Haven, Maine with his extended family. He started a tradition of evening cocktail parties called the “Billy’s Kitchen Hootenanny” and was a gracious host. Sitting on the porch and looking out over the water, he was happy to spend hours with his cousins trading stories and laughing at jokes.
Bob made his first career as the editor of the Worcester Telegram newspaper. He loved his newspapers and remembered his time working in journalism fondly. After selling the papers in 1979, Bob changed his career to management consulting and worked with the Forum Corporation in Boston beginning in 1981. He also provided independent management consulting services to a select group of clients. In the workplace, Bob considered himself a teacher and never looked on his work as a “job.” He saw each day as an opportunity to meet new, interesting people and to help them realize their full potential. He taught business organizations to sell themselves. The friends he made in the work place cared deeply about him and saw him as more than just a co-worker.

Bob is survived by his children, Courtenay Venton of Dover, MA and Mason Cabot of San Francisco, CA, his brother, Powell Cabot of Walpole, NH, his sister, Lucy Cabot of Atlanta, GA. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Esme, Sam, and Charlie Venton of Dover, MA. Bob was married twice, to Caroline Dixwell Knauth in 1967 (divorced 1982) and to Mary Ann Booth in 1984 (divorced 2005).
A memorial service will be held at the Dover Church 17 Springdale Ave Dover, MA on Monday, December 13 at 11am.
If you wish to make a gift in Bob’s memory (in lieu of flowers), please make a gift in Bob’s name to:The Massachusetts General Hospital has a research unit working to cure Alzheimer’s disease, Checks can be made to MGH Neurology/Alzheimer’s research, and sent to Mass General Development Office, Attn: Shawn Fitzgibbons, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA, 02114 or The Maine Coast Heritage Trust works to protect the coast of Maine through land conservation and other activities. Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Director of Development, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201, Topsham, ME 04086.

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