Robert Courtemanche of Dover, Mass., a retired investment advisor who was active in many educational, cultural and civic organizations, died at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Cambridge, Mass. on August 21 following a brief illness. He was 72 years old.
Born in Lawrence, Mass., Mr. Courtemanche grew up in Philadelphia, and graduated from the William Penn Charter School. He went on to Harvard College from which he graduated cum laude in 1962. Thereafter he devoted his career to the investment business. He worked for more than 30 years at Wellington Management Company LLP in Boston and retired in 2000 as senior vice president, securities analyst, and portfolio manager for institutional accounts.
Mr. Courtemanche was elected to the Board of Trustees of Emerson College in 2010 and chaired the school’s investment committee. He was also affiliated with the College’ Ploughshares literary magazine.
“In the short year that Bob was with us at Emerson, he contributed substantially to the deliberations of the Board of Trustees on a wide range of issues, especially those involving finance,” said Emerson President Lee Pelton. “He had an engaging personality and made friends quickly. We will miss his friendship and expertise.”
Mr. Courtemanche’s son, Ted Courtemanche, described his father as “a fun and deeply caring man with a passion for learning. “
“Dad worked in investments, but if life had zigged instead of zagged, he could have been a professor of philosophy or literature,” Ted Courtemanche said. “He always rooted for the underdog (except when it came to the Patriots). He blossomed in retirement. On a nice night, you might find him by his fish pond, enjoying a cocktail and relaxing in the serenity of his backyard. If you stopped by while he was out there, he’d offer you something off the grill, and you’d be laughing with him a few minutes later.”
Long-time friend and Emerson College Trustee colleague Marillyn Zacharis said, “Bob was a quietly generous man both with friends and with those organizations he believed in. He held strong beliefs, respected true accomplishment, disliked artifice, admired those who lived their lives fully and unselfishly. He was a loyal friend and supporter.”
In addition to his work at Emerson, Mr. Courtemanche was on the Board of Directors of The Center for Arts in Natick, Mass. (TCAN), where he served on the Foundation Grants and Finance Committees and often worked as a box office volunteer. He also served as a Trustee for Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Mass. and supported Greyhound Friends, Inc. In Hopkinton, Mass.
Mr. Courtemanche is survived by his son, Ted Courtemanche, and his wife, Deana, of Dallas. He was pre-deceased by his son Richard Courtemanche, with both children born to his ex-wife, Betty Scott.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 16 at 2:00 pm at First Parish Church in Weston center at 349 Boston Post Road (corner of Church Street). A reception will follow.
Contributions In lieu of flowers may be made to The Natick Center for the Arts at 14 Summer Street, Natick, MA 01760 or Ploughshares literary magazine at Emerson College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.