Robert Wayne Pritchard was born in Boston on December 1, 1953. He was the third child of six children born to Nancy E Pritchard and James Cornelius Pritchard (deceased). He grew up in Boston and attended Boston Public Schools. Bob graduated from English High School in 1971. He was an extraordinary student in high school in his academics and especially was a math genius. He was a very good athlete, running track he earned the nickname “Flash” because of his quickness on the field. Bob earned a full scholarship to Notre Dame University where he attended for two years. Because of the challenges he faced in being a person of color at a highly prestigious school in the 1970’s he transferred to Brandeis University where he finished his schooling, earning his bachelor’s degree in African American Studies.
Bob’s primary job was at Poloroid in Cambridge, MA. He worked there for decades as a Library Specialist. While there, Bob attended Simmons College to earn his master’s degree in Library Sciences and consequently after leaving Poloroid he began working for the Boston Public Library.
Bob was in his element when he started working at Dudley Square Library and connecting with the community. He was outgoing and enjoyed meeting new people and helping them. For those that knew or even just met him they would never forget his infectious energy. After working at the Library, Bob began substitute teaching for BPS. He worked at Madison Park and really showed empathy for the students and always wanted to help them as much as he could.
Bob’s passion was the guitar. He played acoustic and electric guitar until he couldn’t do so. In his early days, he would perform whenever he could and would often teach others to play. He had a great love for gardening and was an avid reader. He would often have discussions with one of his doctors on books they had read.
Bob married Roberta Pope and from their union their daughter Tenile was born September 1982. He was so excited to have given her Cherè as her middle name as she was truly the love of his life. He was so proud of her and her accomplishments and was always quick to speak on her dancing achievements.
Bob had a close bond with his mother who’s hard work, dedication and extreme love for her son guided her to take exceptional care of him. She worked tirelessly advocating for him and they became buddies through thick and thin as Bob suffered illness and had several health problems for many years. He would always bounce back with the grace of God when problems would arise. Unfortunately, Bob couldn’t fight off the decline in his health and passed peacefully and naturally on February 25, 2021.
Bob was preceded in death, by his brother James “Jimmy” Pritchard, sister, Deborah Williams and father James Pritchard, Sr. Bob leaves to cherish his memory, his mother Nancy Pritchard, daughter Tenile Cherè Pritchard, Roberta Pritchard, siblings, Andrea Pritchard, Mark Pritchard and Carl Pritchard; nephew Carl James Pritchard; niece Kayla Williams and great niece, Alanna Daly; as well as a host of family and friends.
Visiting hours on Wednesday March 3, 2021 from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm in The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery.
The funeral service will be live streamed beginning at 12:30 pm. Go to www.lawlerfuneralhome.com click on the obituary for Mr. Pritchard, scrool to bottom of the page and click on live stream.
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