Robert J. Veth, 79, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully with his family at his side April 13, 2024, in the Veteran’s Hospital in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Bob was born Jan. 3, 1945, and raised in Middletown.
Bob was the second of nine children born to the late Frederick E. and Catherine Martin Veth of Middletown Township. Always a person of keen intellect, he entered kindergarten at the age of 4 and never stopped educating himself. He graduated from Middletown Township High School in 1962, where he played football and was on the Lions track team.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, brothers, Frederick E. Veth, Richard M. Veth and James J. Veth Sr., nephew James J. Veth Jr. and grand-nephew Lucas James Veth.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen Green Veth; his sons Robert H. (Rebecca) Veth of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and Brian J. Veth of Haverhill, Massachusetts; and granddaughters Violet and Vintage Veth, also of Haverhill. He is also survived by three brothers, Thomas J. (Margaret) Veth of Atlantic Highlands, Raymond J. (Susan) Veth of Middletown and Michael T. Veth, of Middletown and twin sisters, Kathleen Veth (James) Spielman and Karen Veth (Sean) McNamara, along with 17 nieces and nephews and 26 grand-nieces and nephews.
A proud veteran, Bob attended Nuclear Power and other Class A schools during his four years in the United States Navy (1962-1966). He achieved the rank of an Electronics Technician. As a Navy Seabee, his ship was readied for deployment during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the event the confrontation escalated in 1962.
Upon his discharge, Bob enrolled at Newark College of Engineering to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. At the same time, he was raising a family and working for Scientific Atlanta in Keasbey.
In 1974, he moved his young family to Massachusetts, where he embarked on a long career with Teradyne Companies of Boston. Teradyne provided automatic test equipment, focusing on defense and aerospace, digital/mixed signal testing and robotics. As a product manager, Bob enjoyed the challenge of traveling the world to direct the installation of testing solutions.
Committed to the value of continuing education, in 2002, he found time to graduate summa cum laude while earning a B.S. in business administration from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts. In retirement, he worked as a tax preparer at H&R Block for nearly eight years and then earned the prestigious Enrolled Agent status for the IRS in 2011.
Bob earned his amateur radio license while only a teenager. His amateur radio call sign was WA1VIE and he communicated with other hams throughout the world. He actively participated in field days, disaster exercises and other radio-related events. He was once an active member of the Chelmsford Independence Day Parade Emergency Communications team.
In 1999, Bob was honored for 30 years of active volunteer service to the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), where he once served as Southern New England Director. He was also a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Yankee Chapter of the Quarter Century Wireless Association, a member of the Northern Middlesex Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Association, a life member of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, and the Billerica Amateur Radio Club (BARS). Most recently, he was an active member of DAV Billerica Chapter 47, where he also served as treasurer.
One of his utmost pleasures was being “Papa” to his two granddaughters, Violet and Vintage. He was always proud of their many accomplishments. Each Christmas Eve, he was delighted to track Santa’s ride for his sons and then his granddaughters via ham radio.
Bob also derived great enjoyment driving to New Jersey to visit his large family for Thanksgiving dinner. He never forgot his roots as he would find the time to take other family members on trips down memory lane in Middletown. He also spent time researching his family tree while traveling in both Ireland and Germany. His discoveries became an important part of the Veth family legacy.
The article originally appeared in the May 2 – 8, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
