Robert "Bob" Fogg, Sr.

Robert (Bob) A. Fogg Sr., 85, of Hancock, NH lost his courageous battle with mesothelioma on February 26, 2024. He was at home with his loving family by his side on a beautiful, unseasonably warm winter’s day. The town of Hancock has lost its biggest fan.

Bob leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Marie E. (Burke), his son Robert (Bobby) Fogg Jr. of Hancock, his daughter Cheryl Fogg also of Hancock and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his sisters Beverly Heegaard and Elizabeth Szumowski, brother William Fogg, half-sibling Charles H. Fogg Jr. and many four-legged family members that he cherished over the course of his life.

Bob was born in Albany, NY on August 1, 1938, the son of Charles Hayward Fogg and Elda Loretta (Sinay) Fogg. He was raised in Albany, graduating from Philip Schuyler High School in 1957 where he met Marie on the night of their graduation. Bob attended UNH for a short time before joining the US Navy, working on board the USS Galveston.

Although Bob was raised in Albany, his love for Hancock grew after his father took him there as a young boy. Showing him where his grandfather was born and owned a store named W.D. Fogg, now the Hancock Market. In 1960, he married his beloved Marie and brought her to Hancock to raise their family.

To describe Bob’s life would be like writing a novel. Let it be known that Bob will never be forgotten by the hundreds of people whose lives he touched in so many ways. He loved the town of Hancock as much as the town loved him. Becoming an integral part from the start, he involved himself with many organizations and served on numerous committees. Including becoming a member of the Hancock volunteer fire department where he was elected First Assistant Chief.

In 1964, he left the Navy and began working at Sylvania in Hillsborough. Shortly thereafter, an opportunity opened up at Wilder’s Auto Service in Hancock, giving him the chance to be closer to home. He worked for Otis Wilder initially, then his son Bud, who eventually sold the business to Bob and Marie in 1985. They changed the name to Hancock Service Station and sold the business in 1995 after ten years of serving the community.

Bob went on to enjoy what he thought would be a semi-retired lifestyle. He quickly realized that it was better to keep busy and found himself graced with abundant opportunities to help the folks in town with whatever was needed: pruning/planting rose bushes, mowing/raking lawns, doing dump runs, putting in screens, assisting with a construction business, moving furniture, scooping ice cream on the 4th of July, drilling wells, driving people to the airport and managing inventory. However, out of all his commitments, Bob’s most revered job was caring for the town clock.

In 1965, Bob was approached by Charlie Gleason at the dump, asking if he would have an interest in taking care of the town clock as it had stopped. He, with the help of Selectman Dick Amidon, tinkered with it and somehow, it started to work. Shortly thereafter Bob was appointed “ agent for the town clock ”  His new duties led him to take a night course from the adult education program on clock repair. He was even featured in Yankee Magazine for his commitment, solidifying his fundamental role as caretaker. Bob became well known for his clock tower tours. This included seeing the inner workings, as well as going up through a trap door to where the bell rests. This great vantage point provided an opportunity to capture stunning pictures of the town and its surroundings. Folks recorded their visit in Bob’s guest book and talk of their special experience years later. At the end of 2015, after 50 years of service, he retired his duties as agent for the town clock.

Bob had a passion for physical fitness early in life. Running was his favorite thing to do. He had a map of Hancock with all of his running routes mapped out. He knew just how many miles each route was and if it contained hills. He completed two marathons in his lifetime, finishing his second one in just over 3 hours, an accomplishment he was very proud of due to the fact that he was in his mid-forties at the time. Bob helped with the Summer Sizzler running group which met weekly and ran on various routes throughout the area. He played an integral role in establishing the kids’ fun run and the Betty Pels Run for The Honey held on Hancock’s Old Home Day. The Fogg Finish Line was bestowed to Bob in 2021 as a thank you for his commitment. He felt very honored by that. When his running career ended, he joined the Wellness Center at MCH. You could count on him being there every weekday at 5:30 am. The camaraderie he developed with his fellow peers there was something quite special.

Bob joined the First Congregational Church of Hancock and became actively involved, embracing all ideologies of the church. He was honored to be a greeter, usher, worship leader and even a handyman at times. He was involved with the youth group and traveled with them alongside pastor Matt Crebbin on missions to Arizona, Mississippi and even Grenada in the West Indies to help those in need. He assisted with the summer Bible school and was a member of the pastor search committee. He looked forward to going to church every Sunday, considering his fellow congregants family. Especially Bonnie Castor, whom he formed a special friendship with and welcomed into his home.

Bob possessed a love for his family. However, spending time with kids was one of his favorite things to do and boy did he have a following! In addition to his time spent with the kids from church, he spent many years as the coach for the Great Brook cross country team. Although he lived away from Main Street, every Halloween many kids, adults and four-legged creatures made certain that a trip to Bob Fogg’s house was included. He truly got a kick out of dressing up and greeting all the folks who came to the door. It wasn’t just Halloween costumes he enjoyed, he also had a fond affection for Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to the delight of kids of all ages.

Bob was a favorite uncle to his nieces, nephews and their children, affectionately being named UB for short by his family. His appreciation for the simple things in life and how to live it left such a lasting impression. He was always willing to spend time with them whether it be hiking, playing games, sledding, making popcorn, or pulling out the measuring board he kept for years updating the height of family members.  He was known for being a jokester—either by telling a joke or somehow trying to trick you. He will be remembered for the yip yip stick, tying string into a knot with his mouth and the farmer’s handshake to name a few.

Summer was Bob’s favorite season and he would often say, “The hotter, the better.” On those days, you could find him outside picking blueberries, mowing the lawn, repairing storm windows in his workshop, weeding a flower garden, feeding his cherished birds or reading the paper with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Aside from clocks, other hobbies included anything to do with trains, square dancing with the Cloud Busters and learning how to cane chairs. Bob not only created daily to do lists for himself, he recorded pertinent things in his yearly planner, and had quite an impressive memory. Dates were important to him. He was beloved by many who received a birthday card from him year after year.  He enjoyed a variety of sports but favored the NY Yankees and the NY Giants which always created a stir in town. Bob told his family he was never moving away. Hancock was his home. Bob lived a full life and was at peace with his death. As the Hancock Fire Department so eloquently displayed, “You’re a Good Man Bob Fogg” He will be missed by many.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Oncology Department, the ED staff and the doctors and nurses at MCH that cared for Bob. You are truly amazing people for whom we are eternally grateful.

Bob will be remembered at calling hours Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 4-7 pm at Jellison Funeral Home in Peterborough, NH. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11 am at the First Congregational Church of Hancock. Burial will be immediately following in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, Hancock, NH. Please join us for a reception at the meetinghouse.

In remembrance of Bob, please consider a contribution in his name to the First Congregational Church of Hancock, the Hancock Fire Department or the Monadnock Humane Society.