Worcester attorney, community leader Bob Seder dies at 86

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  Miles Funeral Home

  WORCESTER — J. Robert "Bob" Seder, a prominent Worcester attorney whose legal career spanned more than 6 decades and whose civic leadership helped shape the city, died peacefully Thursday, November 5th. He was 86.

  Seder, a longtime partner at Seder & Chandler, was widely recognized as one of the East Coast's leading bankruptcy attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, he held leadership positions at numerous Worcester institutions, including the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Worcester Business Development Corporation and Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

  Born February 12th, 1940, to Samuel Seder and Edith Seder Riemer, Seder grew up in Worcester and maintained a lifelong attachment to his hometown.

  He graduated from Brown University and New York University School of Law before beginning his legal career at Seligson & Morris in New York. He later returned to Worcester, moving back into his childhood home and joining his uncles at the family law firm, Seder & Seder.

  Over a career spanning more than 60 years, Seder developed expertise in bankruptcy, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and business law. He earned a reputation for meticulous preparation, creative financial structuring and dedication to his clients.

  His professional honors included being named the 2014 Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year" for the Worcester area by Best Lawyers. He was recognized by Best Lawyers from 1989 through 2025 and Super Lawyers from 2005 through 2025. He became a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy in 2004.

  Seder's contributions extended well beyond the courtroom and conference room.

  He served as chairman of the Worcester Human Rights Commission, president of the Legal Aid Society, president of the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts and president of the Jewish Health Care Center. He also chaired the Worcester Regional Research Bureau and Worcester Business Development Corporation and was a founder and director of Commonwealth National Bank.

  He held leadership roles with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and participated in the Bankruptcy Literacy Program, helping others better understand financial and legal matters.

  His commitment to preserving Worcester's architectural heritage earned him two Silver Hammer Awards from the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. He received the honors in 1986 for restoring the Dwight Foster Building and in 1996 for the Burnside Building.

  Outside his professional and civic activities, Seder was an avid fisherman, woodworker, gardener and cook. He spent summers clamming on Martha's Vineyard beginning at age 16 and traveled regularly to the South of France later in life.

  According to his obituary, Seder had an extraordinary ability to make friends wherever he went, turning airport delays and chance encounters into lasting relationships. He was especially devoted to his three children and grandchildren.

  He is survived by his children, Samuel L. Seder, Julie A. Seder and Betsy Lin Seder; two grandchildren, Myla and Saul Seder; his sister, Carol Glick; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

  A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial will follow at B'nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John's Road, Worcester.

  The service will also be available by livestream, beginning at 1 p.m. Monday, and for later viewing.

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Legal Aid or the Jewish Healthcare Center.

  Arrangements are being handled by Miles Funeral Home of Holden. The complete obituary is available here.