WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  Robert Stanley Bleau, 74, passed away on July 27, 2026, at his beloved summer camp in Addison, Vermont—a place where he found peace, happiness, and some of his life’s greatest joys.

Born on February 5, 1952, in Bennington, Vermont, Bob was the son of Hazel Bleau and Robert John Bleau. He was raised in Bennington, where he developed a lifelong love of baseball, nature, and the outdoors. The camping trips and time spent outside during his childhood created memories he carried with him throughout his life and inspired his enduring love of Lake Champlain and Vermont.

Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1971 to 1974 and was stationed in Germany. Following his military service, he dedicated 35 years of his career to Williams College, where he worked as a security officer from 1980 until his retirement in 2015. To generations of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Bob was much more than a security officer. He greeted people with a warm smile, offered a helping hand whenever it was needed, and made everyone feel welcome. His kindness, generosity, and genuine interest in others earned him the admiration and respect of the entire Williams College community. In recognition of his outstanding service, Bob received the 2015 NECUSA Award for Exemplary Performance, honoring security professionals who demonstrate exceptional professionalism and make outstanding contributions to the safety and security of their campus community.

On October 19, 1991, Bob married the love of his life, Sheila (Wetherell) Bleau. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and friendship. Sheila will always hold close the memory of Bob serenading her with “What a Wonderful World.”

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila (Wetherell) Bleau; his children, Robert John Bleau, Angela Baker and her husband, Gregory Baker, and Amanda Russell and her husband, Brendan Russell; Melissa Krause Bleau, mother of Robert and Angela; his grandchildren, Keegan Bleau, Darrein Bleau, Justice Bleau, Isabella Bleau, Lee Russell, and Emily Russell; and his four great-grandchildren, Bentley, Ellie Rosemary, Sophie, and Oaklee.

He is also survived by his sister, Deborah Harrington, and her husband, Michael Harrington. Debbie and Bob devoted themselves to caring for their mother, Hazel, prior to her passing, and Mike and Bob enjoyed fishing together during their yearly visits to camp.

Bob found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. He loved casting a line into Lake Champlain, where peaceful mornings became treasured memories. His golf cart rides often turned into neighborhood visits, as he never passed up the chance to stop and catch up with friends. He cherished walks with his beloved dog, Gracie, remained a lifelong New York Yankees fan, and often reminisced about his days playing baseball as a boy. He also loved music, especially Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Louis Armstrong, and could often be found listening to his favorite records or singing karaoke.

Of all the roles he held throughout his life, none brought him greater joy than being “Papa.” Whether he was cheering from the sidelines, telling stories, casting a fishing line, or simply spending time together, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life.

Retirement only strengthened Bob’s commitment to serving others. He faithfully volunteered with Food for the Journey in De Leon Springs, Florida, helping provide meals to those in need. His servant’s heart and unwavering faith led to his nomination as a deacon at Christian Family Worship Center this past winter—a testament to the respect, faith, and love he inspired within his church family.

Bob will be remembered for his quiet kindness, generous spirit, and remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome. Whether he was helping students on the Williams College campus, lending a hand at the food pantry, casting a fishing line into Lake Champlain, or simply sharing a conversation with a friend, he lived a life devoted to serving others.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA. A reception for family and friends will immediately follow at Forest Park Country Club in Adams, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Food for the Journey Food Pantry in Bob’s memory. Donations may be made through the family’s memorial GoFundMe, “In Memory of Bob Bleau – Food for the Journey Food Pantry,” or by mail to Christian Family Worship Center, 265 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., De Leon Springs, FL 32130.

Bob measured his life not by titles or accomplishments, but by the people he loved and the lives he touched. Whether you knew him as Bob, Dad, Papa, Gigi, a friend, a coworker, or simply the smiling security officer who always had time to stop and talk, you knew someone whose kindness made the world a little better. His memory will live on in every act of service, every fishing trip on Lake Champlain, every Yankees game, every chance to sing “Midnight Special” to a room full of cheers, every Lynyrd Skynyrd song turned up loud, and every gathering where family and friends share stories, laughter, and song. He will be deeply missed and forever loved