Robert Charles "Bob" Kulin, an avid astronomer, musician, sailor, and lifelong resident of the Boston area passed away on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. He was 79.

Known for his goodwill and good humor, Bob was always ready to share a joke or lend a helping hand to a friend, neighbor, or stranger in need. He was a life-long learner with a never-ending curiosity that fed his love of science, and a dedicated friend who never turned down a dare or a late-night trip to a local diner.

Bob's love of music led him to the Berklee College of Music where he was briefly a student and later enjoyed many concerts by the students and faculty there. A virtuoso on the flute and a burgeoning vocalist, Bob was always looking forward to the next night at a jazz club, and the times he shared the stage with one of his teachers for a song or two.

A Lexington resident for more than 50 years, Bob was a 1963 graduate of Waltham High School, where he made his closest life-long friendships. He lived by his own rules, finding joy in every day, and laughing and reminiscing with his family and best friends until the very end.

Bob was also a professional-level photographer, with an eye for portraits and moonlit-waterfront scenes that required careful planning and patience to capture the still reflections and points of light through his lens.

But it was the life and family he created with his loving wife Laura, that Bob considered his greatest adventure and greatest achievement. Together they have five children and 11 grandchildren, who grew up learning the value of seeing the good in every person, laughing every day, and trying to overlook the imperfections in ourselves and others.

He was at his best leading carloads of kids to the beach to catch crabs, dig for clams, and play in the surf and sand; and then bringing them back in the pitch black of night to be amazed by shooting stars and the enormity of the Milky Way.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Irene and S. Andrew Kulin. He is survived by Laura, his wife of 56 years; their children Daniel, Suzanne, Matthew, Gabrielle, and Elizabeth, and their spouses Brandi, Tom, Jennifer, Tom, and Carrie; grandchildren Tyler, Samantha, Jacqueline, David, Reed, Evan, Madeline, Theodore, Ty, Maya, and Jude; Bob's sister Gail, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

All family and friends are welcome to attend the burial service, which will begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, as well as the celebration of Bob's life, which will be held at his home at 22 Grapevine Avenue, Lexington from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's family requests contributions be sent to Doctors Without Borders, or to your favorite charity.