Richard W. Ober
Date of Passing:
Ober, Richard W., 73, of Barrington, RI, passed into the arms of his Savior on March 12 at his home in Barrington.
Rick was born to Arthur and Louise (Flanigan) Ober on December 28, 1945, in Salem, MA. He was the beloved husband of Martha (Chamberlain) Ober for 44 years, loving father of Matthew C. (Lisa) Ober of San Diego, CA, Benjamin E. (Meghan) Ober of Newburyport, MA, and Andrew J. L. (Lisa) Ober of Boston, MA. He was the adoring and adored grandfather of Samuel, Helen, Grace, James, Peter, and David Ober. He was also the brother of Jack Ober and Bill Ober of Mendon, MA and the late Elaine Redlitz.
After earning his Bachelor’s from Gordon College, Rick enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving from 1968 to 1972, including a deployment in Vietnam where he taught conversational English at DaNang High School. He went on to earn his Masters in Psychology at Springfield College, his CAES from Boston College and his Ph.D. in Psychology from Michigan State University. Rick taught Psychology at Rhode Island College before starting his psychotherapy practice. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Providence, RI.
Rick was a man of deep faith in Christ, generosity and character. He had a quirky sense of humor and broad-ranging intellectual curiosity. His many interests included birdwatching, classical music, paleo archaeology, singing, poetry (especially Robert Frost), traditional sea music, playing the concertina, theology, the blues, dogs, the outdoors, and diners. Rick enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a psychotherapist in Attleboro, MA. He most loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Rick was always grateful for the hope he had in the grace of the God who made this world that fascinated him so much and who is the Resurrection and the Life.
Calling hours are Wednesday March 20, 2019 in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside from 4-7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday March 26, 2019 in the Barrington Baptist Church, 25 Old County Road, Barrington at 11 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Rick’s honor be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church (trinitypresri.org), Highrock Southwest Boston (highrockswboston.org), Highrock Haverhill (highrockhaverhill.org), or the Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org).
Martha, Ben, Meghan and family – you have been in my thoughts this past week & my heart aches for you during this difficult time. I pray that you will find peace and comfort in your memories. Sending lots of love to you all.
My prayers & condolences go out to Rick’s wife & his family. He was truly a great man & will be deeply missed by so very many. I feel honored to have not only been his patient for several years but to have been able to talk with him freely about my faith in Christ. The world was definitely a better place with him in it, he was a true example of a Christian. There arent enough words to describe what a great man he was.
Again, so very sorry to his wife, family, & friends. You will all be in my prayers & thoughts.
Dear Martha, Ben, Andrew and Matt,
We wish you all to know of our prayers that Christ’s comfort will help you to manage in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ober, Ben & Meghan,
Our sincerest condolences on this tremendous loss.
We wanted to share a small story that can hopefully bring a smile during this difficult time: At one of the kid’s birthday parties not long ago, Mr. Ober was discussing his interest in traditional sea music and when Eric inquired as to what that was, he spontaneously broke into song to demonstrate, much to everyone’s amusement.
It is clear he will be dearly missed.
The O’Neill family (Eric, Angela & Ella)
The community of Attleboro will miss Dr. Ober very much. He was truly a wonderful Doctor and one of a kind. He helped so many people for so many years and we are so grateful.
We all will miss you Dr. Ober.
Love, light and many blessings to the Ober family at this time.
Martha,Matthew, Benjamin, Andrew and the entire Ober family, My deepest condolences to you all at this time. I am so saddened to hear of you recent passing of Mr. Ober, as I knew Richard Ober growing up several streets over and getting to know him as a friend of his son, Matthew. I will always remember Mr. Ober as deeply devoted his faith, family and considerate of others around him. My prayers go out to the Obers at this time.
Martha, Matthew, Benjamin and Andrew, words seem like such puny, ineffectual things at a time like this. My heart goes out to you, in a measure consistent with my fifty-one years of friendship with Rick. One can truly grieve the loss of a man who had an ear to listen and a heart to help, a man blessed with a sense of humor, who had the gift of hospitality and a man who took responsibility for leadership at home and in the assembly of those who love God. It is this last point that should buoy you up now as we miss a husband, father and dear friend. There is a great banquet coming; a great reunion. Take heart.
Our prayers go out to the Obers, but we are confident in the resurrection and the love of Christ. Rick was a thoughtful Christian who we got to know at Barrington Baptist and enjoyed talking with him about many topics. A wonderful man
Ellen and I want to extend our deepest sympathy over your loss. What an amazing legacy of love he left! Our prayers are with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are grateful for the chance to get to know Rick and remembering his humor does bring a smile to my face.
May his Memory be Eternal.
Love,
Katrina, Dennis and Olivia (Iserman/Czech)
I am so so sorry to hear about your loss. My family’s thoughts are with your family.
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. The legacy he has left in the lives his life has touched is a testament to his walk with God and His creation and his love and gifts manifested. Blessings and love to you all.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry for your loss of such a special loved one. I am gladdened by Rick’s faith and the knowledge that he is safe in Jesus’ arms.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss.
We wish to express our heartfelt condolences on the demise of your dear Rick. We pray the Lord to give you strength to cope up with such a great loss. Rick , rest in perfect peace.
What a humble and accomplished man of many talents. I enjoyed talking with him. He always had a word of encouragement. What a loss to us, but for him it is gain as he will be with savior now. I will miss him dearly.
So sorry to hear of your loss, especially a dad who was so loving. The Lent family sends our love and condolences.
Martha and family, Kathy and I were so saddenned to hear about Rick’s sudden passing. Know that our prayers are with you all, for God’s peace, strength, and hope during this difficult time. Our love to you all, Ken and Kathy
MARTHA, Matthew, Benjamin, & Andrew;
I was a patient of Richard for thirty years. He helped me immensely. No other knew me as well as did he.
I will continue to miss him… as will you.