Obituary for Robert J Ingram
Robert Joseph Ingram, age 67, passed away suddenly on August 21, 2021 in Norfolk, MA. Born in Manhattan, New York on August 24, 1953, he was the son of the late Robert L. and the late Mildred M. (Lennon) Ingram. Bob was the most beloved husband of Maryjean (Johnson) Ingram for 43 years, an incredible father to Meghan Driscoll and her husband, Greg of Weymouth, MA, Captain Christopher Ingram (USAF) and his wife, Amy of Lake Wildwood, CA, and Ryan Ingram and his fiance, Amy Davis of Newton, MA. He was the proud and adoring grandfather of Eulalie and Murphy Ingram and the new kid on the block, Conor Driscoll. Bob was brother to Joan Ingram, Michael Ingram, and the late Diane Ingram, all of Kings Park, NY, as well as uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Bob grew up in Kings Park on Long Island in New York. He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in Smithtown, NY (paying his own tuition through summer jobs and the 3 newspaper routes he worked). Bob received his B.S. in Biology from Manhattan College. He went on to receive his Master’s, and eventually, his Ph.D, both in Biology, from Fordham University. During graduate school, “Dr. Bob” had the unique opportunity to be part of planning and participating in a joint US-USSR scientific expedition on a Russian vessel to the Bering Sea. Being a cultural exchange as well as a scientific one, Bob consumed borscht on an almost daily basis while on board, and was inclined never to have it again for the rest of his life...which he did not.
Self-proclaimed science geeks, Bob and Maryjean met in their junior year of college and married in May of 1978. They began their journey together living first in northern New Jersey. Falling in love with New England (on one of their many road trips) they moved to the Boston area, eventually settling in Medfield MA. For 32 years, Bob and his wife raised their 3 children in this beautiful town. It was one of the best decisions they ever made.
Professionally, Bob worked for 40 years as an environmental scientist and consultant. He was a problem solver and a patient and kind mentor to younger colleagues. He worked for a number of different engineering and consulting firms over the years...most notably, Daylor Consulting, the BSC Group and Lucas Environmental.
Believing in the importance of serving others, Bob taught his children by example. He served as Chairman of Medfield’s Conservation Commission for a number of years and on several other special Town committees related to land use and housing. Having a passion for “the beautiful game” (soccer), he served as president, boys director, and as a coach and referee for Medfield Town Soccer.
Bob’s enthusiasm as an avid Boston sports fan was especially evident when he had the opportunity to attend NE Revolution soccer matches and Red Sox games with his family. His boys fondly remember attending Opening Day at Fenway Park each year with their father, bound forever by being “true believers” and diehard fans long before the Sox were any good.
For Bob, his family was the center of his life. He took enormous pride in his children and their accomplishments and was their biggest cheerleader. He managed to get to almost every concert, every sports or school event that his kids were a part of. When his daughter, Meghan started running, he attended as many of her races as he could to support her dream of running the Boston Marathon (which he eventually got to see her run twice).
A true partner in life to his wife, Maryjean, Bob supported her dreams, shared all the childrearing and everyday tasks of family life (particularly, the laundry….he always did the laundry!). Becoming a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life and he treasured the time spent with his grandchildren.
Bob Ingram was a kind, compassionate, generous, thoughtful man with a quiet and unassuming manner. His sense of humor was reflected in the comedians he liked the best including Robin Williams, George Carlin and Stephen Colbert. Bob’s laughter was contagious. Of his many gifts and passions, he was an enthusiastic gardener and could fix or build just about anything...he was a true tinkerer. Known as the “dog whisperer” in the family, Bob grew up with English Springer Spaniels, loved all dogs and was always happy for any opportunity to dog sit. Some of the best times of his life included the wonderful vacations in Wellfleet on Cape Cod with his family and the many road trips he enjoyed planning with Maryjean. An avid coffee drinker, he made a habit of having at least one extra-large hot hazelnut coffee (milk only!) a day from Dunkin’ Donuts and is thought to be wholly responsible for steadying DD stock during the worst of the pandemic.
Bob Ingram was much loved and will be sorely missed by all who came to know him.
Funeral Mass will be Wednesday September 1st 10:30 at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 133 Spring St, Medfield. https://www.facebook.com/St-Edwards-Parish-180424121989544
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob’s name can be made to the Hydrocephalus Association at www.hydroassoc.org.
Bob grew up in Kings Park on Long Island in New York. He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School in Smithtown, NY (paying his own tuition through summer jobs and the 3 newspaper routes he worked). Bob received his B.S. in Biology from Manhattan College. He went on to receive his Master’s, and eventually, his Ph.D, both in Biology, from Fordham University. During graduate school, “Dr. Bob” had the unique opportunity to be part of planning and participating in a joint US-USSR scientific expedition on a Russian vessel to the Bering Sea. Being a cultural exchange as well as a scientific one, Bob consumed borscht on an almost daily basis while on board, and was inclined never to have it again for the rest of his life...which he did not.
Self-proclaimed science geeks, Bob and Maryjean met in their junior year of college and married in May of 1978. They began their journey together living first in northern New Jersey. Falling in love with New England (on one of their many road trips) they moved to the Boston area, eventually settling in Medfield MA. For 32 years, Bob and his wife raised their 3 children in this beautiful town. It was one of the best decisions they ever made.
Professionally, Bob worked for 40 years as an environmental scientist and consultant. He was a problem solver and a patient and kind mentor to younger colleagues. He worked for a number of different engineering and consulting firms over the years...most notably, Daylor Consulting, the BSC Group and Lucas Environmental.
Believing in the importance of serving others, Bob taught his children by example. He served as Chairman of Medfield’s Conservation Commission for a number of years and on several other special Town committees related to land use and housing. Having a passion for “the beautiful game” (soccer), he served as president, boys director, and as a coach and referee for Medfield Town Soccer.
Bob’s enthusiasm as an avid Boston sports fan was especially evident when he had the opportunity to attend NE Revolution soccer matches and Red Sox games with his family. His boys fondly remember attending Opening Day at Fenway Park each year with their father, bound forever by being “true believers” and diehard fans long before the Sox were any good.
For Bob, his family was the center of his life. He took enormous pride in his children and their accomplishments and was their biggest cheerleader. He managed to get to almost every concert, every sports or school event that his kids were a part of. When his daughter, Meghan started running, he attended as many of her races as he could to support her dream of running the Boston Marathon (which he eventually got to see her run twice).
A true partner in life to his wife, Maryjean, Bob supported her dreams, shared all the childrearing and everyday tasks of family life (particularly, the laundry….he always did the laundry!). Becoming a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life and he treasured the time spent with his grandchildren.
Bob Ingram was a kind, compassionate, generous, thoughtful man with a quiet and unassuming manner. His sense of humor was reflected in the comedians he liked the best including Robin Williams, George Carlin and Stephen Colbert. Bob’s laughter was contagious. Of his many gifts and passions, he was an enthusiastic gardener and could fix or build just about anything...he was a true tinkerer. Known as the “dog whisperer” in the family, Bob grew up with English Springer Spaniels, loved all dogs and was always happy for any opportunity to dog sit. Some of the best times of his life included the wonderful vacations in Wellfleet on Cape Cod with his family and the many road trips he enjoyed planning with Maryjean. An avid coffee drinker, he made a habit of having at least one extra-large hot hazelnut coffee (milk only!) a day from Dunkin’ Donuts and is thought to be wholly responsible for steadying DD stock during the worst of the pandemic.
Bob Ingram was much loved and will be sorely missed by all who came to know him.
Funeral Mass will be Wednesday September 1st 10:30 at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 133 Spring St, Medfield. https://www.facebook.com/St-Edwards-Parish-180424121989544
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bob’s name can be made to the Hydrocephalus Association at www.hydroassoc.org.