If the Colonial Hall of Fame was to have a Captain, Rob would be the obvious choice. The oldest of ten brothers and sisters, Rob has demonstrated exemplary leadership. An initial member of Acton Boxboro's first football team, Rob's tenacity, aggressiveness and true grit earned him the honor of being AB's second football Captain and Dual County League All-Star. As a linebacker, guard and later as a running back, his presence was felt in his own huddle and by the respect he commanded from his opponents. Those records carried to the tartan where he broke several school track records and again attained D.C.L. All-Star status. Rob played football at the University of Rhode Island and upon graduation was commissioned from the ROTC program in the Army infantry in 1971.
The leadership skills that were so evidenced at AB manifested themselves in his distinguished military career as - Army Ranger, Special Forces Airborn, Battalion Executive Officer Amphibious Recon, Battalion Officer with the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force Beruit Lebanon, Marine Corp H.Q. Manpower Analyst, Naval War College Graduate, and U.S.M.C. Marine Barracks Executive Officer Washington, D.C., where he ascended rapidly to the rank of Colonel. Rob's two recent assignments stand out as Chief of the Naval Operations Strategic Study Group that presented a document to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on U.S. National Military Strategy through the year 2010. He is now Operations Officer for the 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan where he is responsible for Marine ground forces in the Pacific region. Rob's decorations and awards could fill another page. Rob is married to the former Constance Peck. He has four children, Owen and Slade, both graduates of AB and Daniel and Adrian, who now attend ABRHS. Rob's most memorable moments are watching his children attend AB and compete on the same playing fields as he did twenty five years ago.
