Robert M. Abrams

Robert M. Abrams, 91, died on July 22 on home hospice care in South Hadley
surrounded by his family. He was born on February 8, 1933, in Holyoke, son of Samuel
and Ida (Hoffman) Abrams. He was predeceased by his sisters Frances Radovsky and
Estelle Abrams and is survived by his sister Lois Schwab. Abrams leaves behind his
wife of 63 years, Frances (Rischin) Abrams, four children--Joshua (and Helen Fantini);
Samuel (and Laura); Annah (and Marty November); and Maury (and Jennifer) –and
eight grandchildren—Lulu, Rachel, and Charlie November; Jonah, Theo, and Owen
Abrams; Cole Abrams; and Frans Abrams. His grandson Eli Abrams predeceased him.
Abrams attended Elmwood Elementary, Metcalf Junior High, and Holyoke High, where
he was captain of the football team, playing both ways under Coach Archie Roberts as
center and middle-linebacker, and served as class treasurer. He graduated from
Holyoke High in 1950 and went on to Amherst College, where he majored in chemistry
and played center and middle-linebacker under Coach John McLaughry, making the
Associated Press All-East Honorable Mention lineup in 1953, when Amherst went 7-0-1.
In an upset victory of 7-6 over Brown that season, Abrams blocked Brown’s extra-point
kick. Following Amherst, Abrams began medical school in 1954 at Boston University.
After a pediatric residency at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., he
served for three years in the Air Force as a base doctor in Athens, Greece. In 1964,
Abrams returned to Holyoke and served the community as a pediatrician with Holyoke
Pediatric Associates until retiring in 2010. Committed to education, he served as the
doctor for the Holyoke Public Schools. In addition, he served on the Holyoke School
Board and the UMass Board of Trustees. He was a lifelong congregant of Rodphey
Shalom Synagogue, of which his grandfather Morris Hoffman was a co-founder. His
love of classical music found a home at the Holyoke Civic Symphony, in which he
served as a cellist for many years. A private burial ceremony will be held. A memorial
service for the public is slated to take place in the coming months. In lieu of flowers,
please consider making a donation to Holyoke Reach Out and Read https://buy.stripe.com/aEU9AD44KdiG0pieUU
Or send checks to
Holyoke Pediatric Associates (reach out and read)
150 Lower Westfield Rd
Holyoke MA 01040