Robert Leslie Lienhart

Chichester, NH – Robert L. Lienhart, 82, passed away peacefully Friday, September 8, 2023, surrounded by family after a sudden illness.

Born in Honolulu, HI on April 30th, 1941, where he lived until the family moved to his paternal grandfather’s farm in Conway, AR when he was 5. He loved country life on the farm until he was 12 when the family moved to Sunnyvale, CA where he remained throughout his teenage years. Anyone who knew “Bob” has undoubtedly heard a story or two about how he and his siblings would pick (see “steal”) fresh fruit (oranges, grapefruit, peaches) for themselves in the many surrounding orchards. Robert left Sunnyvale at the age of 20 when he joined the United States Air Force and served as an Air Freight Specialist during the Vietnam War, stationed at Okinawa, Japan (where he became a brown belt in Judo) and finally Hanscom Field (now Hanscom Air Force Base) in Bedford, MA where he met (see “stole from his roommate”) the love of his life, Elaine Nolfo. They were married in 1966 and after a brief return to Sunnyvale, settled on 20 acres in Chichester, NH where he remained for the rest of his life. Active in the community, he coached the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Boys basketball team for 18 years and was instrumental in fundraising to get the gymnasium built at Chichester Central School. He was also voted Citizen of the Year twice – once in 1985 along with his wife, Elaine and again in 1991.

Having grown up with little, Robert worked hard to provide a more comfortable life for the family he loved so dearly, spending 30 years at Public Service of NH (PSNH) as a line foreman and an additional 7 years for I.C. Reed & Sons and Three Phase Line Construction before fully retiring.

Robert loved being outdoors, pheasant hunting (until he shot himself in the leg and realized he just liked walking in the woods), hiking, kayaking, mountain biking (biking to and from work for several years in his 50s), and camping, especially at White Lake State Park. During the winter (which he hated immensely), he loved nothing more than watching football, but especially his Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He also loved everything and anything Hawaiian – clothes, music, food, particularly, poi. In 2006 he fulfilled a dream in being able to bring his entire family to Hawaii.

Nothing was more important to Robert than his Ohana and was extremely involved with his children (coaching their sports teams, chaperoning their field trips and being the first Room Father at their school) and grandchildren (attending every game, practice recital and horse show). At 68, he learned to downhill ski so he could spend more time with his grandkids.

A jokester with an infectious smile, he was kind, generous and loving. Loved and respected by so many, it was impossible to be anywhere with him where he didn’t run into someone he knew and was happy to talk with him.

Robert was predeceased by Martin Lienhart (father), Beatrice (nee Quintal) Lienhart (mother) and Paul Lienhart (brother). He is survived by his brother, Martin Lienhart Jr (San Andreas, CA), brother Donald Lienhart (Conway, AR), sister, Francis Ford (Plymouth, CA), wife of 57 years, Elaine Lienhart of Chichester NH, daughter, Martha Stock (his favorite) of Chichester, NH and her partner, Marc Capra, son Matthew Lienhart (his favorite) of Belmont, NH, son Joshua Lienhart (his real favorite) of Manchester, NH and his wife Pamela, grandchildren, Michael Lienhart (Kaeli Dunn), Caleb Stock (Emma Farwell), Elizabeth Stock (Gavin Santino), Maleah Lienhart and Clay Spencer, many nephews and nieces as well as his 6 grand-dogs and his cat, Ruth.

A celebration of life will be held at Grappone Conference Center 70 Constitution Ave, Concord NH on Sunday, September 17th from noon to 4PM. A ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).