Robert, "Bob", Campbell Austen, 68, died in his home in early June, 2022. He was the son of the late Richard and Virginia Austen and the long time beloved partner of the late Robert Meader, former curator of the Shaker Museum in Old Chatham, NY. He is survived by his sister, Diane Austen of Canaan, NY, and several second cousins in Virginia and New Jersey. Bob grew up in Canaan. He was a graduate of Chatham High School and attended Columbia Greene Community College and the Albany Stratton Business School. Bob lived in Albany the last three difficult years of his life. Prior to that he resided in Pittsfield, MA for many years. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Bob had several businesses over his lifetime including an antique store in West Stockbridge, MA, and a furniture refinishing and chair caning business, specializing in Shaker taping of chairs, which he maintained for most of his life. He had also been a manager of a Trade Exchange, and in later years worked for O'Connell's Convenience Plus in Stockbridge. He liked to bake, study the Bible, and spend time with family, friends, and each of his cats — Boots, Horses (aka Mac), and Kooda. As a youth, in addition to learning about antiques, he skied, bowled and was an avid bicyclist. Bob was a gentle, sweet, resourceful man who enjoyed helping others and making them laugh. He was particularly dedicated to supporting those who were struggling emotionally or materially. Bob was trained as a peer counselor and advocate for the mentally ill through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Berkshire County, and served for a time on their Board of Directors. He belonged to the Berkshire Dream Center Church where he received guidance from the pastor and assisted with its endeavors. With a passion to make life easier for those in need, he developed several grants as well as a directory of Pittsfield's food pantries and soup kitchens. As treasurer for the Pittsfield Manos Unidas, an organization which assists immigrants, Bob was instrumental in obtaining their federal non-profit status. Both the Pittsfield Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Canaan Grange also benefited from Bob's sustained involvement. Being warm, outgoing, funny, generous, forgiving, and remarkably resilient, Bob endeared himself to many. He will certainly be missed. A memorial service will be held to celebrate Bob's life on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Richmond Congregational Church, 1515 State Road (Rte. 41), Richmond, MA, followed by light refreshments. The wearing of CDC approved masks is required during the service, except while presenting. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Berkshire Dream Center Church, 475 Tyler St., Pittsfield, MA 01201, would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.