Robert (Bob or Pop) Fresher died on July 20. With the tide at his back and stars to guide him, he set sail one final time.

At 95, his life was not only long but profoundly rich in love, laughter and learning.

He was raised by a single mother in the post-depression era of East Hartford, Conn. Grandma Edna taught her sons (Clark, Robert and Donny) grit and grace. These lessons were further hammered home by a lively gaggle of adoring aunts and uncles who jumped in to help raise these young boys.

Bob was a man of many abilities, driven by ingenuity born of necessity as well as a healthy dose of Joan’s ever-so delicate insistence and perseverance.

His career started when he served his country in the US Coast Guard. Though he joked that he never went to sea once they learned he could use a typewriter, his service kept our country safe...as the teasing goes. Yet, education was his true compass. He became a schoolteacher, school principal and superintendent of schools in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Working with kids was his passion and fifth graders his academic wheelhouse.

In between his professional career, to care for his growing brood, colorful escapades were added including work in the tobacco fields, a stint as a fireman, a postman (on Chappy) and a role at Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark.

An avid reader would be an understatement — as always, within arm’s reach, was a thick book, usually a tome on history and war.

Pop was always game for any activity or adventure. When invited, he would blissfully say ‘YES’ even before he knew what he was agreeing to, ‘I’ll be packed and waiting’ was his chorus. With this spirit, he traveled widely including adventures to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Turkey, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Ecuador and many more. This same approach was used when serving as head chef for turkey and deer hunting at his son’s cabin in northern New York. Tomato soup and grilled cheese featured frequently.

Nowhere was Pop more with pleasure and peace than at his home of more than 50 years in Edgartown. He and Joan lived on Jernegan with their children, exchange students, and a slew of others who all became part of the extended ‘Fresher Family.’ We all grew up with ‘Pop’s rules’ — the 3-minute shower, no hats on while at the table, lots of duct tape repairs and, of course, Huckleberry Finn readings. If there weren’t 15 kids seated for the meal, Pop would fetch more to top-up the crowd, making everyone feel at home.

Now, having weathered every squall and steered many safely to shore, he is off on his final voyage, leaving behind a legacy of love and caring for all those lucky enough to cross his path, as deep and enduring as the sea itself.

He was cherished by his children and their spouses (Kathleen and John, Bruce, Brian and Allison, Brad, Margaret and Eddie, Craig), his grandchildren (Maggie and Jason, Molly and Jon, Tom, Sam, Dan, Eamonn, Abaigh, Jamie) and his great-grandchildren (Nora, Winnie, Isabelle and Madelyn).

He is pre-deceased by his wife Joan Morsheimer Fresher.

With this posse never far, he would admit, ‘I don’t always know the answers, but I sure have heard all the questions!’