Robert F.  "Bob" Ludwig, 79, of Lexington, died peacefully on December 30, 2022, at home with his family by his side after a courageous 6-year journey with Multiple Myeloma.  In spite of his diagnosis, he was able to enjoy life.  He was so grateful for the excellent care his doctors and nurses provided at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and, recently, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A resident of Lexington for 47 years, Bob was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943, son of the late Fred and Dagmar (Andersen) Ludwig.  He was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois, and graduated from Notre Dame High School.  He attended the University of Notre Dame and received his bachelor's degree in 1966.  During this time, he spent two formative years in the seminary.  While he decided not to become a priest, Bob's faith and commitment to serving others continued to sustain him throughout his life.  He remained an enthusiastic Notre Dame football fan and supported the school's Center for Social Concerns.

After a life-altering two years as a Peace Corps agricultural volunteer in Nepal villages, Bob returned to the United States and completed his education at Northwestern University, earning his MBA.

He began his business career with Colgate Palmolive in International Marketing and worked for the company in New York and Toronto, Canada.  Desiring a role that combined his strong business sense and love of people,  he joined the Kendall Company as a Human Resources Director based in Boston and briefly in South Carolina.   Bob eventually retired as Associate Director of Human Resources at Harvard University.

Bob met Fran Lamey in 1970, and they were married at St. Paul's Church in Cambridge in 1972.  They celebrated 50 years of happy marriage in July 2022, buoyed by an abiding belief that their union was part of God's plan.  They shared many interests and simple pleasures together -- world affairs, golden retrievers, Neil Diamond, traveling, and backyard birdwatching -- while also supporting each other in their individual pursuits to make the world a better place. They wove a network of friends, many from their faith community.  They cherished summers spent with their children at Lake Pemaquid in Maine camping, boating, and swimming, and enjoyed these activities even more with their grandchildren.  Bob spent hours on the lake in his sailboats and eventually a small speedboat.  Making memories sitting by campfires in the company of family and close friends made Bob happy.

Bob helped to provide many people with access to food and housing.  During the early 1980s, he hosted a number Cambodian refugee families in Lexington as a member of the Lexington Ecumenical Resettlement Coalition.  Retiring at 50 allowed him to focus on doing more to help people in need.  He was an active parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington, serving as Co-Chair of the Christian Service Commission.  Through the parish, he coordinated the food pantry and Family AIDS outreach programs at Sacred Heart's sister parish, St. Katharine Drexel in Dorchester.  He traveled many times to Honduras to assist with mission projects.  During the recession, Bob organized a Job Search Support Group that provided advice and assistance to many.  He was also a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Greater Boston, and the Center for Reflection, Education, and Action.  Bob served as a long-term board member of Lexington's Battlegreen Run Foundation, which benefits many local charities through an annual road race.

Bob was a gentle, compassionate, humble, and kind man who cared deeply about those close to him and his extended community.  He was a good listener, enjoyed chatting and had an amazing ability to make each person feel important.  Known for his warm smile, spontaneous wit, and wisdom, he connected easily with people and formed lasting friendships.  Bob touched many lives with his example and love.

Bob's greatest joy was his family.  He was a loving husband and partner to his devoted wife, Fran. He was an exceptional father, mentor and guiding light to his adoring children, T. R. Ludwig of Brooklyn, New York, and Christie Leitch of Lexington, and their spouses, Cascya Charlot and James Leitch. He delighted in his four treasured grandchildren, Caël and Cascy Ludwig-Charlot and Callum and Isla Leitch, and his beloved brother, Dick Ludwig and his wife Susan of Encinitas, California.  His cousin Tom Reisinger and his wife Lynda of Lafayette, CO, extended family, and many friends will miss him immensely as well.

A private burial service took place at Westview Cemetery.  Family and friends are welcome to attend a Mass celebrating Bob's life on Friday, January 20, at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Parish, 16 Follen Rd., Lexington.  An informal visiting time will precede the Mass beginning at 9:30 in the church and a reception will follow the Mass. For details about Bob's Celebration of Life, go to: https://tinyurl.com/Bob-Ludwig-details . Please check this page on January 19 in case of changes due to weather or viruses.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's honor may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at https://give.themmrf.org/BobLudwig .