Robert
Francis Polworth Jr., a lifelong resident of Burlington, Vt., passed
away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, November 23, 2024. His
friends called him Bob or Bobby. Bob was born on January 3, 1943, to
Robert F. Polworth Sr. and Lena Bellino Polworth in Burlington, Vt.
Bob
graduated from Rice Memorial High School in 1961. He was president of
his senior class and won the Vermont State High School Track
Championship, competing in the 4×100 relay. It was here that he met
his wife, Shirley Foss, who he would hold hands with for the next 65
years. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Though Bob
could be found bundled up even on a summer’s day, those around him
were always warmed by his sense of humor, generous use of winks and
knack for fire lighting.
Upon
graduating from Rice Memorial, he attended the University of Vermont
and graduated in 1966 with a BA in political science. He was an
active brother in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. On June 11, 1966, he
married Shirley Foss and soon after started raising a family.
Bob
enjoyed working on political campaigns in the ’60s and ’70s. He
held various administrative positions at the UVM College of Medicine
and worked as a manager at the local General Electric factory. From
1975 to 1980 he was clerk of the Chittenden County Superior Court in
Burlington. He finished his professional career as a licensed real
estate agent working for both Lang Associates and Janes and Jacob.
Bob
gave back to the community, often volunteering his time for events at
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington. He was highly
active in the Burlington International Games and served as BIG
president in 1978. He was a Little League coach and worked on the
Rice High School Boosters.
Bob
was an active parent and grandparent, attending countless school and
athletic events for his kids and grandkids. Bob will be remembered
for his encouraging words from the sidelines, the pep talks in the
car on the way to athletic events, and the postgame wrap of what went
well and where we could improve. He was happiest when the whole
family was in the same room at the same time. He was an avid golfer
and enjoyed socializing with his best friends at Cedar Knoll Country
Club in Hinesburg.
Bob
is survived by his sister, Carol Hearne of Piedmont, S.C.; wife,
Shirley Polworth, and their two children, Kelley Barlow and Scott
Polworth; son-in-law, Mark Barlow; daughter-in-law, Andrea Polworth;
six grandchildren, Robert Polworth, Maggie Barlow, Christopher
Polworth, Nash Barlow, Olivia Polworth and Owen Polworth; and his
nieces and nephews.
Our
family would like to thank the numerous friends, neighbors, family
members, caregivers and medical professionals who have supported us
over the past year.
A
celebration of life will occur at a time to be determined in spring
2025 at Cedar Knoll Country Club in Hinesburg, Vt. Please email
robertfpolworthjr@gmail.com if you would like to receive notification
of the event. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and
condolences.
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2024.
My condolences to the Polworth family.
From your former paper boy and Dale Rd neighbor. Thanks to our parents we had a good childhood in that neighborhood. Brian and the whole Smith family.