Award-winning advertising agency owner Robert J. Lachance Jr. dies at 76
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Robert (Rob) LaChance left this world peacefully at the age of 76 on January 24 at his home in Riverside with his wife by his side.
Rob, owner of an ad agency and production company, and creative director was well known locally as the voice talent for local businesses. Strangers often recognized his voice and he would gladly entertain them with a line or two from an advertisement.
A man of the “Renaissance,” Rob could just as easily create an advertising campaign as fly an airplane, snorkel with fish, write poetry, and fix plumbing.
He will be sadly missed by his wife and business partner of 40 years, Nancy; her daughter, Dr. Heather LaChance Plasters, her husband, Jason, and their son, Morgan; son Robert (Rob) LaChance III, his wife, Jocelyn, and son, Brayden Kaplan; siblings Susan DeGraide (husband Gary); David LaChance (wife Marie); Kathy Szarko (wife Maury); Daniel LaChance (wife Marie); Christopher LaChance (spouse Connie); Michelle LaChance; and his sister-in-law, Lisa Schmiedl (wife Liz Rich).
As creative director, Rob has won numerous awards for his advertising campaigns. He became an instrument pilot in his 50s and enjoyed taking his family and friends on adventures on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Block Island. Although he learned to sail as a teenager, he strongly preferred the “go out there” nature of powerboats, and he and Nancy spent many weekends meeting friends in Potters Cove or Newport. .
Rob graduated from Coventry High School in 1964 and for many years served on the class reunion committee. He spent six years in the Army National Guard serving in the United States during the Vietnam War and, after his honorable discharge, continued the “family” advertising business.
His father, Robert (Bob) LaChance, Sr., had run several different local radio stations before joining his son in forming an advertising agency in 1976. Bob LaChance, a gifted singer who performed with Tommy Dorsey and other major bands, introduced children to the advertising business by “encouraging” them to sing jingles he created for local clients to help sell advertising time. Like his father, as a young man Rob performed at venues like Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, singing with big bands. Although many other LaChance children continued to perform professionally for many years, Rob came to believe that his voice was best used in commercial voiceovers. This talent served him well throughout his life.
An avid reader, Rob has devoured thousands of books and recalled them in remarkable detail. He had professional interests in medicine and physics and was jokingly known as “Dr. Rob” among friends. He seemed to know something about everything (and when he didn’t, he could tell a pretty compelling story .) He had a quick wit, a trait that will be particularly missed by family and friends.
For those wishing to say goodbye, call-in hours will be Friday, January 28, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Rebello Funeral Home, 901 Broadway, East Providence.
A commemoration will take place immediately after roll call hours from 6-7 p.m. Please note that the funeral home requires guests to wear masks for the safety of others.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904, and/or Children’s Friends and Service, 153 Summer Street, Providence, RI 02903.