Robert ‘Bob’ McLellan
1943 – 2010
We are all aware of Bob’s passion for his Family……… I’m going to take a minute to talk about Bob’s other family and passion…….
Bob’s love for skiing began back in 1974 when he joined the Methuen Ski Hill Ski Patrol and started on his life long passion for skiing. Unfortunately, Methuen Hill ended its tenure as a local ski area so Bob pursued his desire to patrol elsewhere. However, his service at Methuen helped ensure the safety of a multitude of local skiers and enabled many people to enjoy the sport we love.
When Bob came to Boston Hills, the first thing you saw was his smile. A warm, friendly “hi, how are ya” smile. At Boston Hills, Bob made friends quickly and patrolled regularly and diligently, he worked his job full time days and skied as a member of the Boston Hills Ski Patrol at night regularly and never missed a shift. There were no radios, two banana boat toboggans and the backboard was a narrow piece of plywood. Bob pitched in on special events like the Boston Globe Ski Clinics which brought more than a thousand inner city skiers to the small area in North Andover, Massachusetts.
One of the notable incidents occurred during a night time Globe Ski Clinic when he came across a fallen skier who asked for help. In a manner only Bob could deliver, he helped the skier up, smiled and said “first, we need to get your boots on the right feet, then we should probably buckle them” and after assisting, he brought the skier to the appropriate class and wished the instructor good luck!
As the years went on, the time for Boston Hills wound down as was the fate of many small suburban areas. Boston Hills closed around 1985.
Undaunted and further demonstrating his desire to patrol, Bob headed for Bradford Ski Area. Bob patrolled at Bradford for about 6 or 7 years, then in October 1992 he decided to venture to a larger mountain. He was looking for more ‘fun’ and a greater challenge in his patrolling career. This brought him to Ragged Mountain where be joined the original family of the ‘Old’ Ragged Mountain Patrol. JB was at the helm as PD and the old crowd of Clay, Dennis Sprout, Jeff Randall, John Hinds, Randy Hinds, Eric Zaharee, John Riley, Hawk, Al Pels were all there along with Paula. The old Highlands crowd came the same year as Bob when their ski area closed. Ragged Mountain had been moth-balled during the 1980’s and was just a couple of seasons into its own re-birth.
What’s funny… was…, that that’s what patrolling at Ragged was…FUN…….
And how lucky we were to have Bob… Always there, always ready and definitely professional…. Not matter what needed to be done, you could always count on Bob…….. Hanging snow fence, closing or opening a trail, sitting top station or aid room duty, it didn’t matter, Bob did it all and always with that wonderful smile…….. He worked one day each week, rarely missing. He was a consistent, dedicated patroller who truly loved what he did. Bob attended many special training sessions and became an OEC instructor and a CPR instructor.
Bob always had a smile for you, he always had an optimistic opinion of a situation, he always had time to sit and listen… always! No matter what your issue was, he would say things like “well I’ve never been divorced but I know a guy who was” and he would proceed to give very kind advice. During many of his counseling sessions Dr. Bob would refer to working at Lahey Clinic. Now we are not 100% sure what he did there, whether it was CEO, Emergency Room Doc, Public Relations Director or the House Psychologist but Bob always had a story. He could tell you about a little girl that was crying and he stopped to talk with her and make her smile or how he assisted EMT’s as they came through the door doing CPR on a trauma victim… those were very real stories!
Bob was like the Mayor where ever he went, his personality was pleasant and he would leave you with a little advice and a great smile.
Year after year when many patrollers headed for SONH, Bob worked at Ragged so others could attend. One year, while covering for SONH Bob and another patroller named Barbara Clarke rendered assistance to a skier who had gone down Cemetery Gates crossing Sunnyside and into the woods. The skier had a fractured femur and it was an involved low angle extrication that took time and a lot of help. Bob ran the show and once again proved his worth as a member of the National Ski Patrol.
Bob was part of an award winning ski patrol and during his years at Ragged, the Patrol won many NH Region Outstanding Awards and in 1994 the Patrol won the NSP Eastern Division Outstanding Patrol Award. Bob was an integral part of this prestigious award.
In recent years, the winds of change blew at Ragged Mountain once again and Bob knew it was time to move on and wrote a sincere and touching letter of resignation, he really loved skiing with the Ragged Mountain Ski Patrol.
But as we all know, Bob’s drive to be a volunteer in National Ski Patrol was huge, so he became a part of the Crotched Mountain Ski Patrol in October 2007. Once again Bob was welcomed with open arms. Brian, the PD at Crotched sent me this note about him joining:
"Bob is truly one of the best skilled, organized and caring first aid room people I have ever worked with. He is a pleasure to know and work with and he knows that."
Skiing, it a passion we all have…….. I know what you are all thinking, who wants to be out in sub zero weather or freezing rain picking up people off the snow who are either hurt or have no idea how to ski but somehow stumbled to the top of the mountain to ski down, or should I say fall down. Well, much to your surprise, there are the NSP Patroller who love what they do, are good at it, and Bob was one of those……
Bob’s memories of patrolling were fond and he always talked about those people he patrolled with, so remember to keep him in your heart, you were always in his heart!!!
In closing, I like to read a phase that was sent to me …..
We little knew that morning, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, You are always by our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.
Article written above – by John ‘JB’ Brown & Gerry Clark
| Reprint of the Newspaper Obit |
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Robert “Bob” McLellan, Jr., 66, of Dracut passed away on Wednesday, June 23 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill surrounded by his loving wife and family. Bob was born in Lawrence and was a graduate of the North Andover School System. He was employed by John Hancock Insurance Company, owned and operated his own painting and wallpapering business for more than 25 years and most recently was a Maintenance Engineer for CB Richard Ellis. Bob was also recognized for 35 years of dedicated service to the National Ski Patrol, one of his passions. Another one of his passions was his family. He enjoyed camping and fishing trips, “rides” throughout the New England area and trips to Disney World with his children and grandchildren. His love for his family was shown in everything he accomplished. He will be deeply missed. Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Priscilla (Law) of Dracut, son Jonathan and wife Jessica McLellan of Methuen, daughter Jennifer and husband Thomas Raskow of North Andover and the joys of his life, his 5 grandchildren Austin, Aidan, Jack and Avery McLellan and Mitchell Raskow. Bob also leaves his sister, Joan and husband Gilbert Frechette of Lawrence and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be on Sunday, June 27 from 3 PM to 7 PM at Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen . A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 28 at 10 AM at the funeral home. The burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. Donations can be made in his name to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill MA 01830. |
