Robert Smith Manley died on November 25, 2015.
Robert "Bob" Manley was born on June 7, 1931 in Springfield Mass the only child of Charles and Henrietta (Smith) Manley. He grew up in Springfield where he and his family were active members of Hope Congregational Church. After graduating from Springfield's Classical High School he went on to graduate from Brown University and then Yale Divinity School, where in 1956 he received a Master of Divinity Degree . He later received a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from Michigan State. In 1955 he married Mary Jo Wagner, also from Springfield Mass.
Bob began his career as a minister in Cleveland Ohio Inner City Protestant Parish where he served community churches in both the east and west sides of Cleveland. During this time, all three children, Joanna Smith, Mark Wagner, and Kirk Warren were born. His career turned to the secular world in 1963 when he joined General Motors Institute becoming involved in training, development and organizational change. The family moved to New Jersey, then to Flint Michigan. In 1974 he went with the UN as a consultant in Organizational Development and the family moved to Nigeria West Africa for a year. Upon return, he joined the Training and Development Department of Exxon in New York City and the family moved to Stamford CT. Three years later he became Consultant and East Coast Manager with the consulting firm of Rensis Likert Associates.
In 1997 Bob and Mary retired. For the next several years they travelled and lived in several communities including West Dover VT, Hilton Head South Carolina, and Grantham NH. Bob remained active during this time working in a variety of service oriented positions, eventually settling into counseling and case management work with NH mental health and social service organizations. In 2012 they moved to Southbury CT to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Throughout his life he was a generous and loving son, a strong supportive and protective husband, father and friend and a proud grandfather. He was loyal, kind, empathic, fun, always seeing the bright side. He was an ardent reader who valued education and loved music. He was a naturally helpful human being who reveled in being of service to others and practiced what he preached. He loved skiing and for many years was a member of the ski patrol. He enjoyed basketball, tennis and golf. He was a runner who ran until he could run no more. He is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed.
Bob is survived and celebrated by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jo, his children and their spouses, Mark and wife Holly, Joanna and husband Tom, Kirk and wife Kim, his grandchildren Luke and Alva Moore , Marissa and Jake Manley, his brothers in law Hughes and James Wagner, sister in law Joyce Wagner, nieces Tina and Debbie Wagner, Jennifer Wagner Remie, and nephews James and Jeffrey Wagner.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: Services are at the convenience of the family