During the 27 years he ran Salem’s welfare department, Bob Loranger met people at the lowest points of their life – folks who had been thrown out of work, who got sick and were in danger of losing their homes, who were without money and facing eviction.

Loranger dealt with these people with professionalism, respect and compassion, say several Salem area residents who knew him.

They are remembering him fondly. Loranger, 62, died Nov. 1 while vacationing in Arizona, just six months after he retired. he brought compassion to the job all the time,” said Barbara Riley, the administrative assistant in the town’s Human Services office. “He let (people) keep their dignity.”

As the town’s Human Services administrator, Loranger provided people in need with financial assistance and referred them to agencies that could help them.

“As a professional colleague, Bob was, I think, one of the kindest and gentlest individuals I ever came across,” said Henry LaBranche, Salem’s former school superintendent and town manager. “He worked to improve situations. We know that he was able to make a difference in people’s lives.”

Loranger’s commitment to his job was as strong during his 27th year as it was in his first, LaBranche said.

Helping people was a big part of Loranger’s career. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire, he worked in Pittsburgh for Volunteers in Service to America.

After returning to New Hampshire, Loranger worked for Rockingham Community Action, worked on a home weatherization program in the governor’s office, and helped migrant farm laborers find steady jobs.

Loranger, who lived in Manchester, was active in Salem’s community affairs and dedicated his life to helping those most in need. He served on the board of several organizations, including the Salem Youth Committee, the Salem Boys & Girls Club and Lazarus House Ministries.

He was chairman of the Salem Health Committee and president of the Greater Salem Human Service Council. Loranger helped initiate Greater Salem Caregivers and the local efforts of Success by 6, a national initiative to prepare young children to succeed in school and beyond.

Loranger knew he couldn’t fix all his client’s problems, but he could make life easier for them. And he clearly touched people’s lives. A woman helped by his office recently called “crying her eyes out” after hearing the news of Loranger’s passing.

“He had a lot of friends,” said Pat Dussault, who works in the school district’s information technology department at Foss School, where the town’s human services office is located. “This man was well loved. He was a good soul.”

Despite all that he accomplished, Loranger was humble about his achievements, said his friends. When he retired, he did so quietly – he didn’t want a party – so the employees in the Foss School building celebrated with pizza and Coke.

Sue Berthel is another Salem employee who remembers Loranger fondly.

Loranger, who helped develop an advisory board for the program in Salem, was a Big Brother himself in another community.

“He was devoted to that all the years I knew him,” said Berthel, who now works with emotionally handicapped students at Woodbury School. “He understood the value of the program.”

Berthel fondly remembers a boy who once thought Loranger was Santa Claus. The boy was at the human services office and Loranger was growing a beard.

“He was like Santa Claus to a lot of people,” said Berthel. “He went above and beyond. He had a deep compassion and caring for people.”