Robert L.R. Place

WINCHENDON - Robert L.R. Place, 82, of 345 Forristall Road, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 24,2007 in the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. from complications following surgery. He was born in Brockton, MA. on August 25,1924, the son of Walter and Dorothy (Powell) Place and had lived in Winchendon for 40 years. Bob graduated from Brockton High School in 1942 and from Boston University with a degree in journalism. He served in the United States Army during World War Two from 1943 to 1945, where he was stationed in Iran and India. He was a photographer and reporter for the Cape Cod Standard Times in Hyannis, MA., covering the Mid-Cape area from 1955 to 1961. From 1961 to 1963, he was the public relations director of the Greater Springfield United Fund in Springfield, MA. In 1963, he became the director of Public Relations at Springfield Hospital. In 1968, Bob and his wife, Ruth, purchased The Winchendon Courier, where he was Editor and Publisher for 17 years. During their retirement, they spent time in both Winchendon and Florida. He loved spending time with his family, photography and the outdoors. He was an active member of the Clark Memorial Camera Club, a member of the Winchendon Zoning Board of Appeals and the Winchendon Chamber of Commerce. Bob leaves his wife of 58 years, Ruth W. (Fenton) Place; one son, Jeffrey Place and his wife, Lisa, of Mount Pocono, PA. and four daughters, Karen Green of Vassalboro, Maine, Laurelee Place, Audrey St.Pierre and her husband, Michael and Lisa Siharath, all of Winchendon; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves one brother, Ronald Place and his wife, Joan, and one sister, Marilyn Littlefield and her husband, Kenneth, all of Florida and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a son, Dean Powell Place, a grandson, Daniel Lovett and a sister, Jean Kiernan. A private burial will take place in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the Wendell P. Clark Memorial Fitness Center, 155 Central Street, Winchendon, MA. 01475. The Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements. www.snow-ladeau.com