Robert Stuart Neese

Robert “Bob” Neese, of West Harwich, passed away peacefully January 18, 2014 surrounded by family after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s.

Robert, born June 28, 1938 in Weymouth, MA grew up and made his home on Cape Cod and was a graduate of Orleans High School and attended UMass Amherst for two years prior to joining the United States Marine Corps.

Bob began his career in banking as a computer programmer with State Street Bank & Trust where he met his wife of 50 years Sarah Neese. While with State Street Bank, Bob brought automation to corresponding banks along the East Coast. He returned to Cape Cod after beginning a family when he accepted a position with Cape Cod Bank & Trust to take charge as Chief Operations Officer and served on the Board of the New England Bank Card Association. Bob is accredited with setting up one of the first and largest computer centers for banking on Cape Cod.

Bob’s love of Cape Cod led to his interest in donating time to many local organizations. He served as President of the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra for eight years, President of the Cape Cod Conservatory, President of the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod, was a Board member of the Museum of Natural History in Brewster, the Board of the Heritage Museum and Gardens of Sandwich, a member of the Joshua Nickerson Society, a past Trustee of the Kelly Foundation, served on the vestry of Christ Church Episcopal and served for 25 years on the Harwich Board of Assessors.

Above all Bob was a devoted family man who loved holidays and family gatherings. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, tennis, golf, and sailing. He is survived by his wife Sarah Neese of West Harwich, His daughter Susan Brown of Brewster along with her husband Eric Brown and three children Eric Brown II, Christianna Brown and Shannon Brown, his daughter Dr. Allison Neese of Dennis, his three sister’s Barbara Fulcher of Eastham, Patricia Lavington of Florida, Carolyn McComb of Washington, a brother Richard Neese of Arizona and many nieces an nephew’s. He is predeceased by his brother James Neese and parents Carroll and Helen Neese of Orleans, MA.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 6-8pm @ the Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home 260 Main Street, W. Harwich, MA with a memorial service at Christ Church Episcopal in Harwichport Wednesday January 22, 2014 at 11:00 am with a reception following.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra or Christ Church Episcopal of Harwichport.