July 10, 1930 – August 4, 2023
Robert S. “Bob” Cummings passed away on Friday, August 4 at the age of 93. He will be remembered by family and friends for his kindness, compassion, intelligence, and wit and will be deeply missed. Everyone he met was fortunate enough to hear his many captivating stories and he would attentively listen to their stories in return.
He was born in Chelsea on July 10, 1930, the son of Arthur Cummings and Doris (Fitch) Cummings. He was raised in Medford, attended Tufts University and Harvard Law School. Tufts was always near and dear to his heart and many family members followed in his footsteps. He married his high school sweetheart – his beloved wife, Jane Ann Hayward on June 20, 1953, and they shared 70 years of marriage.
He served two years in the U.S. Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps, chasing suspected Russian spies through the streets of Brooklyn, before embarking on a long and successful career working as a corporate attorney and managing partner for the Boston law firm Peabody, Brown, Rowley & Storey (now Nixon Peabody). He settled in Reading in 1960, where he and Jane raised their four children.
He was a loving father to Donald A. Cummings and his wife Eriko of Melrose; Dr. Robert S. Cummings Jr. and his wife Janna of Hood River, Oregon; Judith L. Cummings of Woburn; and Dr. Elizabeth C. Shurland and her husband Dr. Abraham T. Shurland of Reading. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Raisa, Suha, Robert III, Janine, Adelaide, David, Glynnis, Rachel and Joseph.
Bob was an active member and important contributor to the Reading community. He served on the Town of Reading Finance Committee just a few years after moving to Reading, and then became a member of the board of selectmen, where he served three terms. He loved living in Reading and was fortunate enough to spend most of his last days there. He spent many happy hours golfing, playing tennis and socializing with Jane and close friends at Meadow Brook Golf Club.
Bob had tremendous physical and mental energy and a deep zest for life. His true passion was skiing. He was an expert skier until the age of 80, and he and Jane took many trips to Lech, Austria, to ski with close friends. He and Jane enjoyed going to Loon Mountain to ski, hike and walk their dogs in the woods and they continued it well into old age. He was an enthusiastic scuba diver, an activity that he took up at 70, and he enjoyed cycling as well. He was also a voracious reader, with a particular interest in anything related to World War II.
Central to Bob’s life were his animals. He was predeceased by Bonnie, Zipper, Princess, Ebony, Spooky, Cecil, Vida Blue, Akela, Timmy, Larry and his best friend Andy. He is survived by Rosie, Moe and Terrible Tubby.
Bob was a proud Eagle Scout and a licensed aircraft pilot. Many of his children have fond memories of flying with him. Bob was always busy and some of the other organizations he served were MASSBANK, as director and secretary; Melrose Wakefield Hospital and Hallmark Health, as chairman of the board; Old South United Methodist Church, Reading, as a trustee; Burbank YMCA, Reading, as a board member; New England Deaconess Association, as a trustee; World Society for the Protection of Animals, as president; American Fondouk (an animal hospital in North Africa), as secretary and a board member; and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), from 1966 – 2010, numerous positions, including Chairman of the Board.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, August 13, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn Street, (corner of Woburn St.) Reading and a funeral service on Monday, August 14, 11:00 a.m. at Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem Street, Reading. I
n lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MSPCA in his honor. www.mspca.org
