Robert George “Bob” Cleghorn, 78, of Centerville, died Saturday August 12 surrounded by family and friends following a courageous eight-month struggle with mesothelioma.
Born on November 28, 1938 in Lowell, MA, he was the son of Rita and George Cleghorn. He lived in Tewksbury and attended Tewksbury High School. Upon graduation Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving proudly as a member of the elite USAF Combat Control Special Forces. He was also a member of the United States Naval Reserve.
After his military service, Bob worked as a Master Plumber and operated Cleghorn Plumbing and Heating in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He later became the Director of Facilities at National Semiconductor’s headquarters in San Jose, California. He relocated to upstate New York to open another plant for National Semiconductor in the RPI Industrial Park. He went on to become Director of Facilities at Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY, the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY, then at Cape Cod Community College until his retirement in 2007. He received state and national recognition, including the Bellweather Award, for his environmental efforts at 4Cs, including installing a fuel cell, implementing recycling and other sustainable practices campus-wide, and for supervising the design and construction of the College’s Lyndon P. Lorusso Applied Technology Building, the first LEED Certified state funded building in Massachusetts, which set the current standard for all state building projects.
Bob is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years Joyce (Sussenberger), brothers Norman of Clearwater, FL, and Jack of Miliani, HI (Ellen), four children: Kim Rumberger of Hyannis (Tim) , Robert and Dayna Cleghorn, both of Troy NY, and Eric Cleghorn of Howes Cave, NY (Heather). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Austen, Brant and Kyle Rumberger, Robert, Nicholas and Ava Cleghorn, and Alyssa and Emily Green, as well as three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Steven. The family would like to thank the VNA of Cape Cod – Hospice, especially Christine and Paul for the care they provided.
Bob was laid to rest with military honors at the National Veterans’ Cemetery in Bourne on August 18. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the MSPCA, 1577 Falmouth Rd, Centerville, MA 02632.
For online guestbook please visit www.johnlawrencefuneralhome.com.
