B1939 – 2023BIPSWICH, Mass. – Richard A. “Dick” Robie, of Ipswich, for whom operating a small business was a form of ministry and who dedicated his life to family and community, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. He was 84. His passing followed that of his wife of 63 years, Catherine Carver Robie, by just seven weeks.

Born on Feb. 20, 1939, in Augusta, he was the son of the late Frank H. (Jr.) and Irene (Landry) Robie. He was raised in Augusta and attended public school there. As a teenager, Dick worked at the local A&P market to earn money for college. He attended Bentley College and Suffolk University, earning a degree in accounting. During his college years, mutual friends introduced him and Catherine Carver because they had so much in common – they were both from Maine. She scuffed his white shoes. He secured a date. They married in 1960 and had their first of three children in 1961.

The young family lived in Millis, Mass., until moving to Ipswich in 1968 because dear friends, Paul and Louise Gahm, lived there. Dick dedicated himself to church and community. He served on the Ipswich Finance Committee and School Building Needs Committee.

He was a devout member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Ipswich and previously of the First Church of Ipswich. He sang in the churches’ choirs and served on various committees.

Dick ran several businesses before opening his own, Robie Window Systems, in 1985. He retired 20 years ago, passing the reins to his son Jonathan, who still leads the business today. He at one point had considered ministry as his calling. Instead, he saw his business as his ministry supporting the dignity of others in earning a living wage for their own families.

When the building boom of the 1980s went bust, many of Dick’s fellow businessmen chose bankruptcy for relief from debt. Dick was proud that he never took this route, instead opting to repay debts and keep workers on the job. He had a strong work ethic. He valued having a job, creating jobs, and creating a better life for the people that worked for him. He led by example and always maintained a stoic demeanor. He was always kind and respectful of other people, never losing his temper and always looking forward with optimism regardless of his circumstances. He was a true gentleman in every sense.

Family, itself, meant everything to him. Whether born to him or brought in by marriage, he loved his children. Each felt he had special place in his heart for them. When he asked how you are doing, he did not want a pat answer. He really wanted to know how your life was going.

All in the family – sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren – felt his strong and guiding presence and wise counsel. He will be acutely missed by those he held dear. He would tell stories of those who came before in both his and his wife’s family. “These stories are important,” he would say. “We need to remember where we are from.”

Dick was an avid Boston sports fan. He loved music. He played guitar, piano and accordion. Wherever he went, these instruments went along, and he encouraged others, particularly grandchildren, to contribute. The family enjoyed a vacation home on a lake in Greenwood, Maine. He and Catherine took their children out for many excursions on their sailboat moored in the Ipswich River, the “Afternoon Delight.” It was perhaps the slowest, heaviest sailboat

of its size ever built.

Dick is survived by three children, Deborah and husband Karl Muench, Allison and husband Jeffrey Duback, and Jonathan and wife Nicole Robie, all of Ipswich; seven grandchildren, Anna and husband Noah Muench-Karr, Samuel Muench, Alexandra Duback, Victoria Duback, Eric and wife Alexandria Duback, Thomas Robie and James Robie. Besides his wife Catherine, he was predeceased by his two brothers, Kenneth and Donald Robie.

Visiting hours for Dick will take place on Friday Oct. 27, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Immanuel Baptist Church, 45 Central Street, Ipswich. His funeral service will take place Saturday October 28, at 10 a.m., also at the Immanuel Baptist Church. Interment will follow immediately at New Highland Cemetery, Town Farm Road, Ipswich.

Arrangements by Campbell-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High St., Ipswich. Information, directions, condolences at http://www.Campbell-Porter.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church.

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