Robert ‘Bob’ Currie passed away last week at the age of 79.

Currie was widely known within the materials handling industry in the United States for his consulting work through Currie Management Consultants which is entering its 50th year as a successful consulting firm and is now a third-generation business.

Bob started consulting in 1973 and his business grew into a successful company consulting for dealers, distributors and manufacturers of industrial equipment. 

Bob was raised in Watertown and later in Lexington, Massachusetts. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1961. 

He loved sports. He played hockey, football and baseball. He was proud of being made an offer by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was an avid sailor and was very much in his element on the ocean in one of his sailboats.

According to colleagues, his commitment to his work was impeccable. Bob is praised by many as a leader, mentor, teacher and role model to everyone he met. 

John Faulkner, president of FMH Material Handling Solutions, notes that Bob Currie “touched so many people in the forklift industry and materials handling industry and so many other industries.

“Bob Currie helped me change my business in many ways, all for the better,” he adds.

Industry group MHEDA has also praised the consultant. “All of us at MHEDA were saddened to learn of Bob Currie’s passing. Robert P. Currie, Sr., founder and president of Currie Management Consultants, was a great resource and advisor to hundreds of materials handling professionals and his loss will be felt by many who came to rely on his insight and expertise,” the association says in a statement.

Bob is survived by his wife of 30 years, Michelle (Boilard) Currie. He is also survived by his children from a previous marriage - his son, Robert P. Currie and his wife Wendy of Chelmsford; and daughter, Robin P. Currie of Worcester. He leaves 15 grandchildren, four great-granddaughters and four step-great-grandchildren.