ROBERT MODEN, 49, of Birchswamp Road died Sunday December 28, 2003 at home.

He was the son of James and Evelyn (Lynne)Moden, of Bristol. He was born in Cass City Michigan.

Mr. Moden was employed as an auto mechanic and in the fiber glass boat industry shortly after high school. He owned Modens Music Store & Teaching Studio in Warren. He co-owned RI Music in Pawtucket for eight years.

He was an accomplished professional guitarist, arranger, composer and back up vocalist for several bands throughout his life.

He had a most spontaneous, poignant wit and humorous slant on life that will be remembered by all his family and friends. This despite the more that 30 years of chronic disease and multiple major surgeries he endured. For more than eight years, Bob fed himself intravenously because of his chronic disease. For over six of these years he used an infusion port, of which he was co-inventor, implanted in his chest. He was co-inventor of six medical device patents.

Bob loved Narragansett Bay and the sea. He was an avid fisherman and an accomplished SCUBA diver and harvester of quahogs. His call name on ship to shore radio was Doctor Bob.

For most of the last four years he worked with his father and brother as a chemical lab technician in the development and evaluation of a new, environmentally benign torpedo fuel for the US Navy.

In his spare time Bob was a talented carpenter and gardener.

Besides his parents he leaves a son Eric Robert Moden of Barrington, a daughter Valerie Moden Thivierge of Warren and a granddaughter Trista Leigh Moden Thivierge of Warren. He was a brother to Jeffrey Moden of Auburn Hills Michigan and Kenneth Moden of Coventry, RI.

Internment will be at North Burial Ground Cemetery in Bristol at a private burial service. Close friends and family will attend a celebration of his life on January 24, 2004.

In lieu of flowers, a charitable memorial fund is being established in his name. Contributions can be made to James R Moden, 32 Jane Lane, Bristol, RI 02809 with the notation Bobs Memorial Trust.