Robert Schwobe of Southampton died July 15th at the age of 88 years. He leaves his loving wife of 68 years, Constance Schwobe. He also leaves his two children, Kathryn Paquette of Easthampton MA, and Mark Schwobe of Gainesville GA, together with six granddaughters and four great grandsons. Also he leaves his sister Patricia Conklin of Arizona.
After growing up in Colorado and Utah, he served four years in the US Airforce stationed in Illinois and Tripoli, Libya, and finally Westover AFB in Chicopee, where he was discharged and settled in the area.
Mr. Schwobe spent his early working years in the Aerospace industry as part of the Hamilton Standard Operation Department. This department developed the portable life support system that was used on multiple space flights including Apollo 13.
He later joined the Hampshire County Sheriffs Department where he attained the rank of Captain, while at the same time serving Civil Process for the Judicial Court System. He retired from both in 1980 after suffering a heart attack.
After his retirements, his primary hobby was the history of the Mt. Tom range. He spent many years bringing that history to the public through his many talks, slide shows and picture books. His works of Mt. Tom history have been featured on Channel 5 television. He also consulted with many outside TV networks on their own Mt. Tom projects.
He belonged to many organizations: a long-time member of American Legion Post 224 in Easthampton; board member of the Mt. Tom State Reservation Advocacy Group; long term volunteer at the Mt. Tom Reservation Visitors Center; board member and historian on the Mt. Tom B-17 Memorial Committee; former member and past chair of the Easthampton Historical Commission; board member of Hampden-Hampshire Canal Historic Preservation Project, Treasurer of Easthampton Community Access Television, Channel 5; and consultant to the Holyoke Historical Commission. He also enjoyed spending time working in his shop.
Robert’s Funeral Service will be on Monday July 26, 2021, meeting at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, 10AM with Military Honors. Calling Hours will be Sunday July 25, 2021, Noon – 2PM at Boucher – O’Brien Funeral Home, 7 Pleasant St. Easthampton MA.