by Sue, Ken, and Mark Robbins ·
Thursday, March 4, 2021
We are so grateful to the town of Harvard, the place Worth loved so fiercely, for so fiercely loving him back. As devoted as he was to his family as a husband and father, we know that he found equal joy in contributing to the betterment of Harvard in ways both small and large. The cards, messages, meals, and embraces you have shared with us are a comforting and inspiring reminder that his efforts were deeply valued.
For many years our family has had a strong bond with a summer camp with a philosophy based, in part, on the words of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw:
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no “brief candle” to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
We had not thought of this passage as part of Worth’s ethos until now; your stories and remembrances illustrate how successful he was at squeezing as much out of life as possible, to the benefit of us all. He loved this place, these people, and the idea of Harvard as home. Thank you for knowing him, indulging his passions, and embracing his life’s work.
Sue, Ken, and Mark Robbins
Mass. Ave.