Robert "Bob" Irving West

His parents, Irving and Doris (Richards) West welcomed their son into the world on June 15, 1944, in Worcester, MA. Bob grew up in Westborough, MA where he found the love of his life, Susan Lund. He graduated from Westborough High School in 1962 and then attended Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA, receiving an associate degree in engineering.

After graduating college Bob moved to Keene, NH. He married his high school sweetheart on May 1, 1965, before moving to Swanzey, and then to Munsonville, NH where they resided together for over 55 years.

Bob was an engineer in printing elements with Markem Corporation in Keene, later becoming manager of the department, retiring after 43 years with the company.

Bob cherished time with family and friends, especially while camping—starting in tents, then campers, and finally his motorhome. He loved to travel, fish, hunt, and woodworking. He was skilled with his hands and sharp-minded, he could fix just about anything.

Bob also loved his community, serving as an active member of the Nelson Congregational Church. He was a member of the Nelson (NH) fire department for 14 years, and Chief of the department for 5 years. He was also a fire warden for Nelson and Munsonville for 36 years.

He will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife of sixty years, Susan (Lund) West of Keene; his children, Steven W. West (and the late Julian Jackson) of Chesterfield, NH, Laurie A. Russell and her husband Jim of Nelson, Melissa J. White and her husband Lewis of Dummerston, VT, Sally A. Nardone and her husband Anthony of Valley Falls, NY; a sister Judith Chaffee of Westford MA; his grandchildren, David Drewing Jr. and his wife Mary Ann, Colby White and his wife Chelsea, Noah White, Vincent J. Nardone, Dominick Irving Nardone; his great-grandchildren, Brady White, Bryce White, Zinnia Loux, and Ivy Loux; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. All are welcome to attend.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Hope Lodge of Boston, or to an organization close to your heart.