“It’s not whether you win or lose….it’s how you play the game”. Those words had a special meaning for Bob Puchta. On a simple straightforward level they mean that you should play a game or sport fairly. But on much more profound level it means that you should live and play the game of life with love, kindness, a good helping of fun and oh yes, be sure turn up the volume….Because Bob Puchta knew how to rock it out!
Robert W. “Bob” Puchta, 62, of Warwick, formerly of Riverside, died Tuesday May 11, 2021 in a tragic boating accident along with his companion who was his love Luann Carter Cole. Although they sadly passed together, Bob’s family takes comfort in the fact that the bond between them had grown deeper over the past year.
Bob was born and raised in Woonsocket a son of the late Walter and Muriel (Hetu) Puchta. He was a graduate of Mount St. Charles Academy and attended schooling to prepare him for a career in the electrical profession. Bob was employed by Champion Glass and Patio and in recent times worked at AMF Lanes in Cranston.
Over the years Bob resided in Coventry, Riverside and recently Warwick.
To say that Bob was not one to stand idle is an understatement. Ever the active man Bob was involved in countless adventures and endeavors. He was a member of the Woonsocket Jaycees and Coventry Elks.
Bob was active in sports throughout his life as a participant, referee and die-hard fan. Bob umpired and refereed many sporting events, including several softball leagues. Bob saw to it that the game, match or tournament was played fairly and those participating upheld the ideals of good sportsmanship, for that was vitally important to Bob.
Bob was a “big time fan” of sports and his teams in particular were the Dodgers, Bruins, Penguins and Red Sox. Bob was a fan of wrestling and the WWF’s WrestleMania was among his favorite annual events. Recent years saw Bob engage in golf and sailing as a way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The bowling lanes in Cranston were a second home to Bob as he was a regular fixture there among his numerous friends.
Music was the essence of Bob’s soul. He loved all sorts of music. He had a disc jockey business that was more fun than work. The music of KISS was the soundtrack to Bob Puchta’s life. He rocked along to whatever he was doing or whoever he was with.
Bob also lent his voice as a member of the Our Lady of Mont Carmel choir in Seekonk.
Bob saw the good in everybody and lived by his own person philosophy of live and let live. Such an outlook on life was no doubt inspired by the great classic artists Bob rocked along to…..The Beatles, Queen, Billy Joel, and Manheim Steamroller just to name a few.
Bob will be remembered as a devoted father of Michelle, Bethany and David and step-father of Amanda and Corinne and he loved being a grandfather to his seven grandkids. He also cherished his special relationship with his son-in-law Brian Chin, Brian really was like a second son to Bob.
Bob was the devoted father of his son David R. Puchta and his wife Diana Vassar- Puchta of Austin, Texas and two daughters Michelle A. Chin and their husband Brian of Queens, New York and Bethany H. Cornell of Coventry and step-daughters Amanda DeStefano and Corinne Cramer. He was the proud grandfather to Theo, Summer, Cayden, Kyla, Odin, Victoria and Carissa. Bob was the brother of Gerald P. Puchta, James J. Puchta and the late David Wayne Puchta. Bob is also survived by his extend family of several nieces, nephews, cousins and his “bowling family at the lanes”.
Bobs funeral will be Thursday May 20 at 8:30 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Agatha’s Church, Joffre St. Woonsocket. Burial will be private.
Relatives and friends are invited to honor and remember Bob’s life at visiting hours on Wednesday May 19 from 4-8 pm at Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket.
www.menardfuneralhome.com