Robert E. Black of Mattapoisett, Army colonel, professor, at 81

Robert E. Black of Mattapoisett died Wednesday. He was 81.

He was born and raised in Wakefield.

He lived in Mattapoisett since the 1970s.

Mr. Black was a graduate of Boston College and Clark University.

He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

He served as an intelligence officer in the Army during the Vietnam War and for the federal government.

He retired as a colonel from the Army and as a professor from Massachusetts Maritime Academy after 25 years of teaching.

Mr. Black was an avid outdoorsman and environmentalist who volunteered his time to several of his favorite charities, including Save the Bay and Good Samaritans.

He is survived by his wife, Joan N. (Edwards) LoudenBlack; five sons, Christopher P. of Evans Mills, N.Y., Gregory D. Louden of Knoxville, Tenn., Kevin V. Louden of Mattapoisett, Kevin P. of Marion and Colin M. of Milton; a daughter, Katie M. (Black) Staier of Duxbury; a sister, Rosalie Preston of Wakefield; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Monday at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett.

Burial will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery,

Bourne.

Arrangements by SaundersDwyer Home For Funerals, Mattapoisett.