Robert E. “Bob” Rehm, 75, of Norwich, Vt., passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, in Lebanon, N.H.
Bob was born on January 27, 1951, to Teresa Kelly Rehm and John Patrick Rehm in New York City. Bob grew up in Bergenfield, N.J., the eldest of eight siblings. He attended St. John’s School and Bergenfield High School, where he met his future wife, Nancy. Bob graduated from Rutgers University with a BS and MS in engineering. He went on to receive an MBA from Pace University.
Bob and Nancy were married in 1975. They lived in Denver, Colo., and Peoria, Ill., before settling in Washingtonville, N.Y., where Bob began his 40-year career at International Paper. Together, Bob and Nancy began road running; Bob went on to complete numerous road races and marathons. Bob and Nancy welcomed their daughters Elissa in 1983 and Anna in 1987. As a family, they enjoyed hiking and being outdoors, returning often to Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve in the Hudson Valley, to Cape Cod, and later to Shelburne Farms and Camel’s Hump in Vermont. Bob fostered his daughters’ interests in running, soccer, skiing and academic pursuits. He supported them in everything they did.
For work, Bob traveled widely, domestically and internationally. After leaving upstate New York in 1995, Bob lived in Cincinnati, Ohio; Montvale, N.J.; Memphis, Tenn.; Shelburne, Vt.; Park City, Utah; and finally Norwich, Vt. Traveling and moving often, he knew how to pack a bag — or a box! Bob retired from International Paper in 2015 and split his time between Vermont and Park City, Utah, where he mastered downhill skiing and pursued his passion for road cycling. Endurance sports were a big part of Bob’s life; he completed the Vermont City Marathon in 2011 at the age of 60, and he traversed the mountain gaps of Vermont and Utah on his bicycle — alone, with friends and with family — many times.
Bob will be missed by his wife of 50 years, Nancy Rehm; his daughter Elissa Bradley and son-in-law Joel Bradley of Norwich, Vt.; and his daughter Anna Rehm and son-in-law Kevin Kareckas of Vergennes, Vt. He was a proud and involved grandfather to Elsa and James Bradley and Greta and Birdie Kareckas. His family will remember his homemade pizza, dry sense of humor, penchant for ’60s music, and unassuming way of tricking kids and then grandkids into practicing their math facts. Bob is survived by his two brothers and five sisters, his many nieces and nephews, and his dog Freddie. He was predeceased by his mom and dad.
A celebration of life will be held at the end of the summer.
In lieu of flowers, remember Bob by having a good cup of coffee, spending time outdoors, tidying up or donating to a charity of your choice.
This article appears in The Cartoon Issue • 2026.
I worked with Bob for many years. I’d say the smartest man I ever worked with. So sorry for your loss.