Robert G. Bodwell

Robert G. Bodwell, 80, of Ipswich, passed away at home on November 26, 2022 after courageously battling pancreatic cancer. Bob was born on November 15, 1942 in Newburyport to William H. Bodwell and Alberta E. (Bailey) Bodwell.

Bob worked in the food industry as a salesman and in national accounts in food distribution, working at the Lutz Company, Knott Sheenan, Food Service Sales, Monarch Foods and Sysco Company until his retirement in 2007. In retirement he worked for Westminster Oyster Crackers.  He then started working as a carpenter with Bill Clapp Construction, which was his true passion, working until his cancer diagnosis. Working with his hands, creating and doing projects for family and friends, was a hobby that Bob excelled at and truly enjoyed.

Bob loved being outdoors. Hiking, skiing, biking and kayaking were only a few of the activities that he loved to participate in with family and friends. For five years Bob took on the challenge of biking in the PanMass Challenge, raising money for cancer research. His dedication to this cause was inspiring.  Bob was an avid water skier and slalom skiied well into his 70s. He took pride in teaching each of his granddaughters how to water ski on Moose Pond in Denmark, Maine.  

Bob and his wife Sheila were married for fifty-six years. In their early dating years, they spent their summers working and having fun at Crane Beach.  They were avid boaters and spent many summer days with family and friends on the beaches of Plum Island and Crane Beach.  In later years, one could often see them walking around Ipswich or through Appleton Farms and Bradley Palmer Park. Bob and Sheila’s mutual passion for travel took them to Europe, Canada, Alaska and to their favorite destinations, our country’s National Parks.  They often traveled with friends, as they enjoyed the company of others on their adventures.

Bob is survived by his wife Sheila Bodwell, his brother William Bodwell, his children Mark Bodwell and wife Heather of Lakeville, and Amanda Norton and husband Jon of Ayer, and his most cherished seven granddaughters, Madeline (Norton) Sowinski, Maggie Bodwell, Erin Norton, Anna Norton, Elizabeth Bodwell, Emily Bodwell and Leah Norton, and many nieces and nephews.  Bob and Sheila have fond memories of a trip to Disney World with the seven granddaughters, to celebrate Bob’s 70th birthday. After that trip, the granddaughters were referred to as “The 7 Dwarfs”. Bob and Sheila’s dedication to their children and grandchildren was the most important part of their lives. Endless hours were spent attending all their granddaughters sporting events and countless nights having sleepovers. Bob was a kind, hardworking man who loved his family and friends above all else. He was humble and caring and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at the Ascension Memorial Church County Street, Ipswich on Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 am. All relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements are by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Massachusetts General Hospital  Cancer Center.

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