Robert A. Veilleux

Hooksett - Robert “Bob” Arthur Veilleux, 82, of Hooksett passed away on June 30, 2026 following a brief decline in health. In his final days he was surrounded by family providing him with comfort, storytelling and love.

Bob grew up in Claremont, NH where he was one of seven children of Arthur and Doris Veilleux.

He graduated from St. Mary's High School and Saint Anselm College. Bob married his high school sweetheart Nancy Boucher and together they raised their four children.

Bob was a science teacher at Manchester Central High School for 35 years. While at Central he brought his love of soccer to the school, and was passionate about coaching and refereeing for years. In 1985 he was selected by NASA as one of New Hampshire’s two finalists for the Teacher in Space Program alongside Christa McAuliffe. After witnessing the heartbreaking Challenger tragedy from The Kennedy Space Center he dedicated himself to honoring the loss of the crew. He spent decades championing science and STEM education, ensuring that the dream of space exploration remained alive in the hearts of his students and community. He will be remembered as a teacher who truly aimed for the stars.

Together with his wife, Bob shared a desire to explore the country and they traveled extensively visiting National Parks in every state except Alaska. A true science geek, he was fascinated by astronomical phenomena, traveling to witness and photograph solar eclipses in five different

locations over the years and chasing the perfect shot of auroras. Bob’s love of teaching inspired two of his children and a granddaughter to follow in his footsteps and become science educators.

In their later years Bob and Nan enjoyed spending the colder months in Bonita Springs Florida at Bonita Terra where they lived life fully and happily in an active 55+ community. After Nan passed away Bob found companionship sharing his life with Sandy Taylor also from NH and FL.

His surviving family includes his four children: Wendy Smith and her husband Kevin of Auburn, Donna Demers and her husband Brian Knowlton of Hopkinton, Bruce Veilleux and his wife Amy of Henniker and Michael Veilleux and his wife Stacie of Weare; eight grandchildren: Haley, Keara, Nathan, Samantha, Ethan, Jack, Owen and Emily; as well as two great grandchildren: Leo and Avery. Bob is also survived by his four sisters Lorraine Potvin of Claremont, NH, Claire Denenberg of Plattsburgh, NY, Lucille LeClair of Lonoke, AR and Anita Hayes of Springfield, MA. 

He is predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years, Nancy (Boucher) Veilleux, as well as his brothers, George Veilleux and Henry Veilleux of Claremont.

Calling Hours will be held at Lambert’s Funeral home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob's memory to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center to continue his lifelong mission of inspiring future generations of explorers Further reading: https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/this-nh-teacher-wanted-a-seat-on-the-ill-fated-challenger/article_e48d3805-4926-4d70-908b-82e70fe7282b.html