The Reverend Robert “Robbie” Walsh, parish minister, skilled banjoist, and dedicated volunteer to the UU movement, died on 19 June 2016, aged 79.

A folk musician all his life, Robbie loved playing the banjo and the guitar at the monthly Ceilidh he led at Old Ship Church (Hingham, MA). He was the author of two well-received books of essays, poems, meditations, and prayers: Noisy Stones and Stone Blessings.

Robbie served on the UUA Board of Trustees while still a layperson and then on many UU committees and boards throughout his professional ministry. Of this service, the Rev’d Kenneth Read-Brown wrote that he “didn’t simply warm a seat at the table. Robbie actively did his part . . . to further the institutional strength of Unitarian Universalism.”

Robert Rea Walsh was born on 2 March 1937 to Adeline Rea Walsh and Francis Thomas Walsh. He grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and was the first in his father’s family to go to college. He received a B.S. from MIT in 1958 and worked for his father’s company until the call to ministry led him to Harvard Divinity School and a Master of Divinity degree in 1980. Ordained that year by his home church, the Holston Valley Unitarian Church of Kingsport, Robbie was soon called to the Unitarian Church of Duxbury (MA), where he spent his entire parish career, retiring after 22 years and named Minister Emeritus in 2003.

Robbie is survived by his spouse, “Kitty,” children Elizabeth Walsh, David Walsh and Nathaniel Walsh, two stepchildren, six grandchildren, and also by his former spouse, Reed Walsh.

Donations are encouraged to the UU Service Committee or to the UUA Living Tradition Fund. Notes of condolence may be sent to his widow Kathleen Ladd Ward, 121 Downer Avenue, Hingham, MA 02043 and/or his daughter, Beth Walsh, 14 Bertwell Road, Lexington, MA 02420.