Blomquist, Robert C. “Bob” age 92 of Reading, formerly of Arlington, passed away peacefully on December 26th surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of the late Corrine “Connie” (Vaughan), brother of the late Barbara C. Blomquist and loving father of Karen, Alan and Susan Blomquist and her husband James Clayton. He was also a loving stepfather for Joseph Vaughan, and his wife Dianne, the late Michael Vaughan and his wife Maureen, and Mark Vaughan, and his wife Brenda. Bob was also the cherished grandfather of fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Blomquist was born on November 27, 1925 and grew up in Medford, MA. He moved with his parents and sister to Arlington at the age of 14. In 1942, Bob served in the U.S. Navy for World War II aboard the U.S.S. Salt Lake City. He was present at the atomic bomb tests on Bikini Atoll in 1946. After the war, he served as a merchant marine as a Junior 3rd Officer until he began his work for the Arlington Fire Department. He was a firefighter for the next 10 years, except the time he was recalled to Navy service for the Korean War. He returned from the war, and was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 1958, and then Captain in 1962. From 1965-1968, he was Deputy Fire Chief, at which time he began guest lecturing at Mass Bay and North Shore Community Colleges and Northeastern University for their Fire & Police Science programs. From 1968-1974 he served as Fire Chief. In 1974 the Town of Arlington combined command of the Police & Fire Depts. and appointed Blomquist Commissioner of Public Safety. He retired from that position on April 1, 1981 with his last major project having directed the building plans for the Community Safety Building on Mystic Street.

After 33 years of public service in Arlington, Blomquist moved his talents to Juno Beach, FL in the winter, and Harwichport, MA in the summer. In Juno Beach, he served as a Planning & Zoning Board Member, Town Council Member, Vice-Mayor, and Mayor from 1992-2005. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Loggerhead Marine Life Center for many years. Bob officially retired at the age of 80.

Throughout his life, he was an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, where he served at all levels of leadership: local, state, and national. In every community in which he lived, and through every organization in which he was involved, Bob built lasting friendships that he enjoyed throughout his life.

In 2015, in dedication to the town he loved, he started a scholarship for graduates of Arlington High School entering the fields of nursing and public safety. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Robert C. Blomquist and Family Scholarship Fund c/o Town of Arlington, Treasurer’s Office, 730 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA 02476.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit in the DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Mass. Ave., Arlington on Saturday, December 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 1: 00 p.m., with a service of remembrance at 1:00 p.m. For directions or to send a condolence visit devitofuneralhome.com