PITTSFIELD, MA—Robert “Bob” F. Sutherland of New Lebanon died January 30, 2025 at a nursing home in Pittsfield, MA. He was born August 3, 1948 to Louise and Richard Sutherland of New Lebanon. He graduated from New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School in 1966 and received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1971 from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.
He had an avid interest in computer technology and worked in the field for more than 25 years, working with computers before they were widely available. He was a test engineer for companies including Incoterm (Westboro, MA) and MultiLink (Andover, MA). He also built a computer from scratch, and tinkered with radio technology and antenna propagation patterns. He loved to play guitar and enjoyed listening to rock legends like Jimmy Hendrix and Bob Seger. He also had a love for nature and science fiction. He adored his parents’ house in New Lebanon, and moved back there in 2011.
He is survived by: his daughter, Sandy Sutherland of Falmouth, MA; her stepsister, Delia Brower and her family of Brimfield, MA; his ex-wife, Susan S. Hilker of Brimfield, MA; his sisters-in-law, Kris Sutherland of Shingleton, CA, and Cristina Jerez of Alameda, CA; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his only sibling, James D. “Jim” Sutherland.
Services were held at Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, February 7, 2025. Burial will be a private ceremony at the Cemetery of the Evergreens in New Lebanon at a later date.
