Robert E. Drennan, 64
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Robert E. "Bob-Eric" Drennan, 64, of South Street, died in his sleep early Thursday morning, March 19, 2009, at home. A local businessman, he was instrumental in the establishment of local health and communications initiatives.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., on April 13, 1944, son of Earl and Lillian Reichert Drennan, he attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute for Fine Young Men, which he left under a slight cloud. He graduated from Kenmore West High School and attended the University of Toledo in Ohio, after which he settled in Westport, Conn. He moved to the Berkshires in 1980.
He was a Navy veteran.
Mr. Drennan owned and operated Berkshire Radon Technologies. He had earlier worked in the corporate world, then for more than 20 years as a general contractor, later starting his home inspection business.
An active member of the community, he spent many years as an emergency medical technician, first in Norwalk, Conn., and later on the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad. His horrifying accounts of the consequences of traffic accidents helped many members of his extended family to remember to drive safely at all times. He also contributed to the earliest efforts to establish what later became the Community Health Program of Great Barrington.
As a ham radio operator, Mr. Drennan built and operated a repeater, which has been used for communication during the annual Josh Billings RunAground. It was also called into use during the 1995 tornado that struck Southern Berkshire County. A well-known and early advocate of the personal computer, he created Great Barrington's first town Web site in 1996 and was featured on the cover of Berkshires Week for his description of the World Wide Web as "the new frontier."
He loved the outdoors and one of his great adventures was a trip down the Mississippi River on a homemade raft. He enjoyed hiking and being near the ocean and lakes, and enjoyed boating with his family. He also had an abiding interest in sports cars, and could often be seen driving his racing-striped Miata around town.
Mr. Drennan had a unique perspective on life, said loved ones, which he freely shared with his friends and family. He will be greatly missed.
He leaves his wife, the former Rose Tannenbaum; a son, of Amory Drennan of Great Barrington; a daughter, Molly Drennan of Great Barrington; a sister, Cheryl Drennan of Rogersville, Tenn., eight nieces and nephews, and two grandnephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for Mr. Drennan will be conducted on Monday, March 23, at 11 a.m. from Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington by the Rev. Kathy Duhon. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 22, from 2 until 4 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Drennan Memorial Fund through funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.