Bob Bombardier

Bob “Bomber” Bombardier, 45, of Craftsbury, and seasonally of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, died March 12, 2018, in Nicaragua after being struck by a drunken driver.

An avid snowboarder, mountain biker, surfer and sailor, Bob lived for outdoor adventure and inspired others to do the same. Bob grew up in Seymour, Conn., where he loved spending time with his friends and family in the area woods and on his Gramp’s nearby farm, fishing, and gathering with extended family.

His love of outdoor adventure grew from learning to sail on Long Island Sound with his dad, Ed, riding BMX and dirt bikes with friends, gardening, snowboarding and family camping vacations. His love of nature and passion for creating a better world was inspired in great part by his mom, Laura. A graduate of Seymour High School, he was known by childhood friends for limitless energy, passion for music, fearlessness, and daredevil bike skills.

Bob graduated in 1994 from Western New England College with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and worked in research and development for HearthStone, a gas- and wood-burning stove company in Morrisville. After several years there, Bob branched off on his own to form Wide Array Engineering and Computer Capabilities, an engineering design and technical writing business.

In 1995, Bob became involved with the design and prototyping of Burton snowboards, contributing to the engineering of many of the boards on the market today. Bob also operated a 40-acre farm he created in 1997 — Wild Branch Organics — growing organic produce.

Bob was fiercely passionate about spending time in nature, and sharing that love with others.

From extreme snowboarding down Mansfield, Tuckerman’s and mountains in British Columbia and Chamonix to sailing his Hobie Cat across Caspian Lake in Greensboro or sailing with his dad Ed on Lake Champlain, building jungle trails for hiking and biking and also surfing in Nicaragua, Bob was most at home in the wild.

Bob is remembered for his intense passion, dedicated athleticism, willingness to help others and penchant for fervent intellectual debate — all things of legend. Also, his unforgettable laugh and smile.

Bob is the beloved son of Laura Dikovsky Smith and Edward Smith of Willsboro, N.Y. He is also survived by his beloved daughter, Andria Curtiss Channels and husband Stephen of Clarksville, Tenn.; beloved grandparents Basil Dikovsky of Shelton, Conn., Janet Stevens Cronn and Stephen Cronn of Naugatuck, Conn., and Ernest and Sharon Bombardier of Milford, Conn.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

Great-grandparents Eugene and Nadezda Dikovsky, Wallace and Helen Stevens, and grandmother Irene Bombardier, all of Connecticut, died earlier.

A celebration of life is planned for June 2 in Watertown, Conn. A Vermont celebration will be announced at a later date. For details on celebrations and to share memories, visit the Bob Nicafun Bombardier Memories Facebook group page.

In lieu of flowers, to continue Bob’s legacy in land conservation, educating people about the natural world and living lightly on it, Bob’s property in Vermont will become the Bob “Bomber” Bombardier Nature Preserve & Nature Center. Donations can be made to the preserve in care of Laura Smith, P.O. Box 1388, Morrisville, VT 05661.