Robert Grove Soule, 63, of Westwood, died peacefully on August 31, 2021, surrounded by his family. Bob always considered his family to be his greatest accomplishment and the source of his pleasure and pride. Bob is survived by his wife of 39 years, Maura Kelley Soule, and their three children, Courtney Kelley Soule of Woburn, Katherine Winsor Soule of Boston, and Zachary Augustus Soule of Boston, as well as a brother, Augustus Whittemore Soule of Kona, Hawaii.
Born in Boston, Bob grew up in Dedham, spending idyllic summers at his family’s home in Duxbury, where he swam, fished, and generally engaged in boyish high jinks. A graduate of the Dexter School, Milton Academy (1975), Harvard College (1979), and Suffolk Law School (1983), Bob valued education, and he treasured his friendships from those years even more. He maintained strong relationships with his childhood friends throughout his life, and he continued to make lifelong friends along the way. A kind, fun, humorous man, it was easy to get along with Bob. His generosity and thoughtfulness have left indelible impressions on those lucky enough to know him.
He met his future wife and best friend, Maura, in 1981 at a “bar review” pub night while they were both in law school, and he knew immediately that he had met the love of his life and the girl he would marry. They married in 1982, raised three children together, traveled the world, and cherished every day in one another’s company.
In addition to his love of his family and friends, Bob loved his work underwriting, insuring, and managing large commercial real estate transactions. He served as Vice President, Manager, and Senior Underwriting Counsel for Commonwealth Land Title’s Boston National Commercial Services operation, joining the company in 1993 and growing the Boston operation from a small outpost to a nationally recognized industry leader. Prior to his time at Commonwealth, Bob held roles as Northeast Regional Counsel at Old Republic National Title Insurance Company and Assistant Regional Counsel at First American Title Insurance Company.
A leader in the field of real estate law, Bob was a longtime member of the Abstract Club, an invitation-only club limited to 100 lawyers in Massachusetts. In addition to serving as a past President of the New England Land Title Association, Bob served on the Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association’s Executive Committee, Title Standards Committee, and Title Insurance and National Affairs Committee. He was a frequent lecturer and contributor to continuing legal education programs for a variety of groups and organizations, including the MBA, REBA, MCLE, BBA, MCA, and NELTA.
As an avid history buff and a direct descendant of several Pilgrims, he was a member of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, and he enjoyed learning about and tracking his family history. He was a member of the Phoenix-S.K. Club, the Fin, Fur, and Feather Club, a local sporting club, and the Westwood Gun Club. In addition, Bob reliably contributed to many worthy causes, including those close to his heart and those important to his friends.
Bob loved life. He loved Boston sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, and he spent countless afternoons and nights at Fenway Park, cheering his team to victory (sometimes). He loved trivia, numbers, and anything that challenged his mind, and he often could be found correcting contestants’ answers to questions on Jeopardy or completing a crossword puzzle. Bob loved to travel with his family, visiting nearly every corner of the globe, and he loved to explore locally, seeking out hidden gems and live music. He also loved to spend time with his family and friends at home, swimming in the pool, hosting dinners on the back deck, mixing up the world’s best pomegranate martinis, and sharing laughter and memories.
Everyone adored, respected, and trusted Bob. He lived by the Golden Rule, always treating others with compassion and understanding. A brilliant man, he tackled any challenge, including his battle with cancer, with a pragmatic approach, unwavering optimism, and a sense of humor. Bob fought his disease valiantly, determined not to be defeated by it. He continued to enjoy his time with family and friends, and he led by example how to meet adversity with courage and grace. He was very grateful for the kindness and support shown to him by all.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for September 25th at 11 AM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dedham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to support the research efforts of his doctor and friend, Dr. Toni Choueiri, at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/Robert_Soule