Published in the May 4, 2018 edition.
MATTAPOISETT — Robert E. Black, 81, died May 2, 2018 peacefully at home. He was the husband of Joan N. (Edwards) Louden-Black. The son of the late F. Robert and Eileen (Fitzgerald) Black. Robert was born and raised in Wakefield, traveled the world, and lived in Mattapoisett since the 1970’s.
Robert was an alumnus of Boston College and Clark University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Robert, a veteran of the Vietnam War, served his country as an intelligence officer in the United States Army and for the federal government. He retired from the Army as a Colonel and as a professor from Massachusetts Maritime Academy after 25 years of teaching.
A true family man, he was also an avid outdoorsman, environmentalist and often volunteered his time to several of his favorite charities, including Save the Bay and Good Samaritan’s.
Survivors include his wife, Joan; sons, Christopher P. Black and his wife Leslie of Evans Mills, N.Y., Gregory D. Louden and his wife Meredith of Knoxville, Tenn., Kevin V. Louden and his wife Noi of Mattapoisett, Kevin P. Black of Marion and Colin M. Black and his wife Cindy of Milton; daughter, Katie M. (Black) Staier and her husband Joseph of Duxbury; a sister, Rosalie Preston of Wakefield, and sister-in-law, Janet Black of Avon, Conn.; 15 grandchildren, Nicole, Kirby, Dillon, Hunter, Griffith, Kellianna, Cameron, Sidney, Jack, Jake, Olivia, Audrey, Avery, Connor, and Asa; four great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Cole, Aiden and Pari; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Philip Black and Peter Black.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 9 a.m. in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
