NEW DURHAM, NH

Robert A. Snow, an educator, writer and community activist, passed away peacefully at his family home on Merrymeeting Lake on Aug. 23 from ALS. He was 68. Bob and his late beloved wife, Linda, cherished almost five decades on the lake, bringing up two children and introducing four grandchildren to its simple splendors and bucolic beauty.

Bob was a proud graduate of Malden High School, Class of '67. His education culminated at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1993 when he was recruited as assistant superintendent in Somerville after 21 years in a variety of teaching and administrative roles in Malden. He also began three terms on the Melrose School Committee. By his retirement in 2007, leadership teams on which he served brought five new Somerville Schools, five new Malden schools and two new schools in Melrose.

His professional passion was serving the needs of kids, parents and taxpayers. His political passion was advocating for them in a variety of ways as a frequent op-ed writer in Malden and Melrose while co-hosting a monthly Melrose cable show with his close friend, Frank Goodhue. Bob often took the road less travelled and popular, but in the end his other passions in addition to fishing were long daily walks and even longer boat rides come summer with all three providing enjoyment coupled with deliberation for decision-making.

He also authored three books for AMSCO School Publications and taught graduate courses in school leadership at American International College. Bob's passion for the pen also brought him a wonderful 20-year hobby in the hockey world as a writer for NHL.com where he covered Division I college hockey before joining Bruinsdaily.com and Boston.com the past five years, covering the Bruins.

One other passion that overarched all was his love of mentoring, much of it informal while cherishing his input as a dad and grandfather. He knew he possessed an ALS genetic makeup that took six family members before him, including his father and both brothers, David and Brad. As a winter resident of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Bob volunteered for an annual ALS research trial at the University of Miami Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with the disease in June.

Bob was the beloved father of Colleen E. Snow-Leung and her husband Howie P. Leung of Concord, New Hampshire, and Christopher M. Snow and his wife, Kelsie L. Snow, of Calgary, Alberta. He was the cherished grandfather of Kailyn Leung, Jackson Leung, Cohen Snow and Willa Snow. He taught all four how to catch a fish, drive a boat and enjoy each sunset while still in diapers.

Bob is also survived by his sister, Deborah Alera of Malden, several nieces and nephews and his close cousin, Rusty McDonough. Among his many cherished friends were Ron Fonzi, John Lee, Howie Kaufman, Paul Scagnelli, Deni Evangelista, Jack Kiley, Chris Cairns, Ted Booth, John Tolman, Tony Cicciarello, John Hahesy, Margaret Mathews, Barbara Hallett and Mary DeCosta. He was predeceased by cherished friends Stewart Don and Richard Hallett. Bob also leaves his devoted companion, Paula Pratt, with whom he shared an evolving love story despite the diagnosis.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St Katharine Drexel Parish in Alton, NH, with a luncheon to follow. Donations in Bob's memory are requested to: University of Miami ALS (indicate "Dr. Benatar Research" in the memo.) Attn: Susan Fox Rosellini, University of Miami, Department of Neurology, 1120 NW 14 ^th St., Suite 1300, Miami, FL 33136.