Robert R. Birch, 84, of Bedford, NH passed away peacefully Wednesday April 15, 2026 at the Community Hospice House, Merrimack, NH., surrounded by family. He was born in Lawrence, MA on August 17, 1941, a son of the late Edward and Ruth (Simard) Birch.
Robert was raised and educated in Lawrence graduating from Lawrence High school in 1958. He worked at Lawrence Maid Shoe Factory before becoming a licensed oil burner technician until he retired.
He loved camping and spending time with family, playing golf and going to classic car shows. He owned a 1933 Dodge Brothers Coup and won several trophies from car show events. He and Kathleen were nicknamed “Bonnie and Clyde”. He had a deep love for animals and would feed all the strays that would show up at his doorstep, some even became pets.
He is survived by one son, Robert R. Birch, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Methuen, MA; one daughter, Deana Bowes and her husband Robert of Derry, NH; four grandchildren, Timothy Birch, Andrea Palmieri and her husband Joshua, Robbie and Noah Bowes; one brother, Walter Birch and his wife Shirley of N. Andover, MA; sister-in-law, Barbara Birch of Nashua, NH and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen (Grasso) Birch in 2024, and by his siblings, Edward and Raymond Birch, Evelyn Smith, Emily Rastello, and Ruth Piccolomini.
Following cremation, a celebration of life Mass will be held at 10:00am on Monday April 27, 2026 at Holy Rosary Shrine Church, 34 Common St., Lawrence, MA. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry are assisting the family with arrangements.