Robert G. Ambos

Robert (Bob) G. Ambos, age 94, passed away peacefully after a long illness on October 16, 2021 at the Mary Ann Morse Health Care Center in Natick, Massachusetts. He was the devoted husband of Catharine (Quick) Ambos (deceased), with whom he enjoyed 63 wonderful years. 

Born, raised, and educated in New Jersey, he was the younger son of the late Leonard and Minnie (Quinn) Ambos. Bob received a Bachelor’s degree in engineering at Rutgers University, after serving in the Army during World War II. His subsequent 60+ year career spanned engineering, technical writing, and extensive volunteerism in Sherborn. In the 1960’s, he and former colleague Henry Eden formed Anco Boston, providing technical writing and illustration services to diverse clients for several decades. 

In 1954, Bob and Catharine married and within a few years settled in Sherborn, where they were deeply involved in the community. They raised three children in the town, Beth, David, and Douglas. Bob and his late wife Catharine delighted in their family and friends, and greatly enjoyed travel and socializing. An energetic volunteer and natural organizer, Bob was key to the growth or creation of many organizations in Sherborn, including the Sherborn Yacht Club (he served as commodore), Sherborn Players (a highpoint being his performance as the lead in Harvey), Sherborn Community Center Foundation (co-founder and first president), and the Sherborn Golf Association (co-founder). He was active with the Friends of the Council On Aging. Bob was the town’s Veterans Agent for many years. Bob also served on the School Committee and Town Forest Committee. The latter sparked his formation of a group of hardy volunteers, mostly fellow seniors, that cut hardwood in the Town Forest and distributed it as firewood to town residents. This was Bob’s passion in his later years, and he truly enjoyed the time spent outdoors, the camaraderie with the group, and conversations struck up during hundreds of deliveries by the pick-up truck load to people in town. His intellect, organizational abilities, follow through, work ethic, kindness, generosity, and humor guided all that he did in life.

He is survived by his children Beth Ambos and her husband Fritz Theyer of Washington, D.C., Doug Ambos and his wife Barbara of Sherborn, his daughter-in-law Kristine Carlson of San Francisco, and his beloved grandsons Daniel Theyer and Scott Ambos whom he adored and mentored with kindness and wisdom. 
He is predeceased by his wife Catharine, son David, brother John, and sister-in-law Esme.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend an outdoor service at Pine Hill Cemetery beginning at 1pm on Saturday, October 30, to be followed by a gathering in his honor at the Sherborn Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sherborn Community Center Foundation, 3 Sanger, P.O. Box 2, Sherborn, MA 01770

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