Robert Farmer Vernlund

Robert Farmer Vernlund, 63, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Hartford, CT from pneumonia and complications of a lifelong illness.

He was born Oct. 4, 1960, in Hartford, CT to Dr. Robert J Vernlund & Martha Shepard Vernlund. He grew up with his twin brother and four sisters in West Hartford, attending Bridlepath Elementary, then Kingswood and Westledge where he graduated in 1978. He took classes at University of Hartford and Keene State College, then resided in Cambridge, MA where he pursued his passion for computers in the early days of the digital world, and was active with the Boston Computer Society, meeting Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in the early 1980’s.

In his early years and well into his twenties, Rob was very athletic, playing soccer and tennis in high school, enjoying outdoor pursuits in the mountains, especially spring trips up Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mt Washington, downhill skiing out West with great style, and biking from CT to NH at age 13 with his twin. Traveling with his family, he ventured to Europe several times and to Kenya.

In the summer of 1980, he and his twin travelled across the USA by car for six weeks, camping and exploring Big Sur, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, Glacier Park, then returning through Canada. In his later years, he took pleasure in attending music events, a Van Morrison concert, seeing the Elizabeth Park roses bloom in the spring, and joining in family outings.  Just three weeks before his passing, he spent a long weekend at Lake Sunapee with his sisters and friends, enjoying the lake view and their company on the porch of a place he dearly loved.

When his neurological disease progressed he enjoyed being outdoors and listening to music. Surrounded by his siblings, he slipped away quietly listening to his favorite song 'Imagine' (John Lennon)

He is survived by his siblings Carl Vernlund (Nellie) of West Hartford, CT, Emily DelConte (Mark) of Maynard, MA, Trina Hill of Sunapee, NH, Alice Ford (Jer) of Kalispell, MT, & Sarah Vernlund (Tom) of Pleasanton, CA, stepmother Barbara Lennox of Hartford, CT, stepbrother Kevin Reardon of Newry, Maine, and stepsister Maureen Reardon of Cheney, WA.

He is also survived by his wonderful companion nurse for three years, Lori Curran, by fellow adventurer, friend and cousin, Dave Shepard (Liz), numerous nieces and their children, a nephew, many cousins and his favorite aunt Jane.

He was an inspiration in accepting his condition with courage, dignity and grace. Rob will be missed for his unique and succinct “Rob humor” and his kind nature.

A memorial gathering and celebration of life will be held on Oct. 5th at noon at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in East Berlin, CT, followed by a reception and internment at Miner Cemetery, Middletown, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) Lighthouse Fund, 63 Main St, Sunapee, NH  https://www.lakesunapee.org/lighthouses