Now, more than ever, it’s important for people to step up and participate. To be a part of society, to volunteer your time.
Randolph’s Bob Gass was that kind of person.
Gass, who died on June 28 at age 75, dedicated himself to Randolph, with more than 40 years of public service including as a School Committee and Town Meeting member. Many children growing up in Randolph remember and appreciate his dedication to Randolph Youth Softball and Baseball and Randolph Youth Basketball.
In 2010, the Randolph Community Middle School gym was dedicated to Gass in honor of his years of service. At the time, Gass said he was “surprised and pleased” at the honor.
“I will share that he was a good man,” said Randolph High School Athletic Director Tony Price. “His love and commitment to make Randolph a better place for everyone is undeniable.”
Price continued, “Whenever he and I did speak or meet, it was always about a project, initiative or opportunity to help others. The thing that impressed me the most was he never wanted any credit. His smile and passion will be sorely missed. The naming of the RCMS gym after him was befitting for his long-standing commitment to the community of Randolph and his service to the school system.”
A hit beyond the field
Gass also could be found on the Randolph Youth Softball and Baseball fields for several years, offering his support and dedication to the players in many ways.
“Probably the best one is Bob heard about a player on his team in 2010,” recalled Dave Hansbury, longtime member of the Randolph Youth Softball & Baseball Association. “The player was feeling down at himself and was having a tough time in school. There was also a family member that became very sick. Plus the family was having financial problems. Bob also knew the player was a huge BC (Boston College) football fan. Bob provided this child and one of his family members with two tickets to a football game each year for seven years and a free parking pass. He would do anything for the children.”
Gass didn’t just help the children in town but also was very active in government. Current Town Manager Brian Howard knew him well.
A leader, a mentor
“I had the pleasure of serving with Bob when I was appointed to the school committee in 1992,” Howard said. “He was chairman of the committee and was a mentor to me. I was young and inexperienced, and he provided me much need guidance. I would not be where I am today without his friendship over the past three decades.”
Howard ordered the Town of Randolph flag to half-mast in memory of Gass.
Gass also was president of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and a chairperson of the South Shore Charter School.
At the time of his death, Gass was a member of the Schools for Children Board of Trustees, serving his fourth term on the board.
“His priority in both his profession and in service to the Randolph community was youth,” Howard said. “He focused on education and his love of sports. Bob was a coach and a member of the SRLL/RYSBA board for decades. He started Randolph Youth Basketball with John Sullivan. He knew that a quality public education and extracurricular activities are a strong foundation for young people to build the future of their lives on.”
Howard concluded that “Randolph has lost a great advocate. He will be missed by many and impacted multiple generations of families in Randolph.”
