STRATHAM - Robert W. Leberman, 75, of Peninsula Drive, died Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, at Lakes Regional General Hospital in Laconia after a sudden illness.

Bob Leberman was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Feb. 10, 1932, a son of the late Selden and Marian (McGerald) Leberman.

Raised outside of Buffalo, in Hamburg, N.Y., he was a 1954 graduate of Syracuse University, where he excelled at football, playing in the 1953 Orange Bowl and the 1954 Blue-Gray All-Star game. Bob "Crazy Legs" Leberman was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, playing defensive back for one season, before starting active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He served for three years as a first lieutenant and a B-25 pilot.

Bob committed the entirety of his working career as a professional fundraiser, serving 19 years at Syracuse University, nine years at the University of New Hampshire, nine years at the Jackson Laboratory of Bar Harbor, Maine, and at Bradford College in Haverhill, Mass.

Although upstate New York was always referred to as "home," he quickly adopted all that New Hampshire and Maine had to offer. He lived in Stratham for 14 years and vacationed on Kezar Lake in Center Lovell, Maine, for more than 30 years.

Bob's favorite pastimes were antique hunting, working in the yard and woods, and woodworking. He was renowned for remodeling homes, some would even say for being a "scrounge," using remnants from a brick trolley station, railroad beds and old barns for patios, landscaping, interior siding and furnishings. He proudly attended his sons' and grandchildren's sporting events and artistic performances.

Family members include his beloved wife of 52 years, Ann (Reed) Leberman of Stratham; two sons, Reed B. Leberman and his wife, Marianne, of Meredith and Peter W. Leberman and his wife, Gloria, of Concord; six grandchildren, Liz, Jessie, Abby, Catie, Becca and Brad; a brother, Paul R. Leberman of Waterville, Maine; a sister, Beth Friedman of Cody, Wyo.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Art Leberman and Bruce Leberman.

Calling hours will be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road in Exeter.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Stratham Community Church, 6 Emery Lane in Stratham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Office of Development, Syracuse University, Suite 100, 820 Comstock Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13244; or to Exeter Hospital Development Office, 5 Alumni Drive, Exeter 03833.

For more information, log on to stockbridgefh.com.