Robert H. Adams

On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Robert H. Adams of West Newbury, MA, a beloved husband, father, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 84. He is survived by his daughter, Hanna Adams, of Cambridge, MA, his son, Rob Adams, and daughter-in-law, Katie Adams, of Medford, MA.

Bob was born in Glen Ridge, NJ on November 8, 1941, with his family later moving to Newbury, MA, where he grew up. He graduated from Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, MA, then studied economics at Brown University. He began his MBA at the University of Virginia, completing it at Northeastern University to be closer to home when his father became ill. Upon graduation, he had a brief stint at State Street Bank in Boston, MA but quickly pivoted to a long, fruitful career as a Systems Analyst at the MITRE Corporation (“Mother MITRE,” as he referred to it) in Bedford, MA, for over forty years.

In 1968 he married Bonnie Scott, his beloved wife of over fifty years. They settled on Stewart Street in West Newbury and raised their family. On top of his professional and familial responsibilities, he always found time to contribute to his community. These contributions include his time as a Town Assessor in West Newbury, serving as President of the Oldtown Country Club in Newbury, coaching his son’s Little League baseball teams, and volunteering at Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, MA.

Bob’s true passion was boating. He was a talented captain of various vessels, but the one nearest and dearest to his heart was the Grand Goose. Maintaining this classic wooden boat was truly a labor of love. The Adams family spent summers aboard the Goose on the Parker and Merrimac Rivers, cruising up and down the coast, from Cape Cod, MA to Boothbay Harbor, ME. When the family was not boating, Bob, together with Bonnie, cultivated a verdant yard replete with bountiful flower and vegetable gardens.

Mischievous in the best way, Bob had a glimmer in his eye and a subtle wink that would make anyone feel included. Four-legged family members were regularly the lucky recipients of “people food” from the table, almost always directly from the hands of the “Turkey Man.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s name to Lowell’s Boat Shop, the MSPCA, or the Alzheimer's Association .

Calling hours will be from 10-11:30 am on Saturday, November 14 at the Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Funeral Home on 35 Green Street in Newburyport, MA, followed by a private graveside service at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Michael’s Harborside in Newburyport.