Robert Alexander Kugler passed away on the morning of July 4, 2025 in Dartmouth, MA. He was born May 6, 1939 in Boston, son of William Alexander Kugler and Louise Austin Kugler. He was raised in Winchester, MA and spent every summer in Westport Point, MA where he later retired. He graduated cum laude from Amherst college in 1961 with a degree in economics and served in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he first went to Japan, beginning his love for that country and its culture. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle in Kanagawa while on leave. He then received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968 and started his career in Boston. He was an international businessman, living and working on 3 continents. He met Naoko Sakakibara at Morgan Guaranty in Tokyo, marrying her there in October 1977, and eventually settling in Fairfield, CT, where they raised two children, Matthew and Hannah. He had a lifelong passion for being on the water, racing and teaching sailing, building boats, and rowing, as well as woodworking, and classical music.
He loved his later years at Westport Point, riding his motorcycle, sailing in Buzzards Bay and rowing in the Westport river. He is survived by his wife, Naoko, of 48 years of Westport Point, his son Matthew of Brooklyn NY, his daughter Hannah and son in law Louis of Wallingford, CT, his three Grandchildren Sophia, Enzo, and Emiko, his sister Louise and husband Edward Bush of Painted Post, NY, his sister in law Joan Kugler of Silver Spring, MD, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two older brothers, William A Kugler and Richard C Kugler and his wife, Elizabeth.
Memorial service to which relatives and friends are invited will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at the Westport Point United Methodist Church, 1912 Main Rd., Westport Point, MA 02791 at 11 AM. Repast will immediately follow at Bittersweet Farm, 438 Main Rd., Westport, MA 02790.
Interment will be private.