Bob Lenington
Robert “Bob” Lenington of Lincoln passed away on November 8, 2023. He was 93 and in his own words “I’ve had a great life.”
The greatest legacy Bob leaves is his love for his family. He married his honey, Carolyn, on July 18, 1953. This past summer they celebrated their 70 anniversary along with family, friends, and much laughter. Nothing brought Bob more happiness than traveling through life with his bride, and what an adventure it was with Captain Bob at the helm.
Bob grew up in Detroit with his mom, dad, and younger brother Sid. He held a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University and had a varied and successful corporate career for 24 years. Taking a position with Raytheon is what prompted him and Carolyn to move to Massachusetts, where he made his home in Lincoln for 61 years. In 1977, Bob took a position at Bentley College in Waltham; he remained at Bentley for 16 years until he retired as vice president for business and finance and treasurer. Bob loved his time at Bentley — he enjoyed his peers and his team and was proud of his many accomplishments.
Bob loved his work, but he also loved to play. He was a member of the Lincoln Minute Men and was honored to be the captain during the bicentennial year’s celebration. He and Carolyn enjoyed their travels with the Minute Men, especially the bicentennial reenactment of the march of Benedict Arnold to the centenary celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Swimming and tennis kept him active, as did home improvement projects, which he loved designing and then building himself. Bob also took great joy in riding the family’s horse Pandy, and on occasion, giving him a sip of his martini. Camping was a family vacation adventure that was enjoyed by all. Houseboat and RV trips kept the family vacations lively. In 1976, Bob and Carolyn bought a lake cabin, which became one of Bob’s favorite spots.
Carolyn and Bob had three girls, Kathy, Kristen, and Karen, whom he adored. He always referred to them as his three girls and delighted in pointing out to people that the women in his life were always telling him what to do. As much as he loved his girls, he was pleased that their married lives brought some sons into his world. He relished the boys’ weekends up at the lake. He delighted in being a Papa to his seven grandchildren and continued his teasing playful ways with them. He always wanted great-grandchildren and was glad he was able to welcome three great-grandsons into the family.
Travel brought immense pleasure to him. Luckily, he and Carolyn enjoyed seeing much of the world during their retirement years.
Bob was the beloved husband for 70 years of Carolyn (Barrett) Lenington. He was the dedicated father of Kristen Cavallaro and her husband Paul; Karen Martin and her husband Brad; and the late Kathy Silva and her surviving husband John. He was the cherished Papa of Josh, Courtney, Brendon, Jessica, Stephanie, Christopher, David and their partners, along with his newly minted great-grandsons Finn, Miles, and Luca.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Bob’s life during visiting hours on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 3-5 p.m. at Dee Funeral Home (27 Bedford St., Concord). His funeral service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Weston United Methodist Church (377 North Ave., Weston). Burial will follow with U.S. Army military honors at Lincoln Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions in gratitude for the extraordinary hospice care Bob received (www.caredimensions.org). Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To share a fond memory of Bob or to offer a condolence in his online guestbook, click here.