A champion of the needy to retire after 45 years

Coard, 82, sent a letter to the staff in the last week announcing he will retire, effective Nov. 1, after 45 years with the social service agency, more than 40 of them as its president. The letter, still being received by staff members, surprised those who have worked with Coard.

“He’s left a big mark on the city,’’ said John J. Drew, the organization’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, who has worked with Coard for about 40 years.

“It’s hard to catalog how one person has worked to help the poor and disadvantaged, but that’s what he’s done. For that, he should be honored.’’

Coard could not be reached for an interview last night, but said in the letter to the staff, “After all these years and many tough fights and wonderful times at the helm of ABCD, this is a difficult letter to write, as it represents the first step toward my eventual retirement. Please be assured that I will always stay involved with ABCD and your important work for Boston’s people and neighborhoods.’’

Beginning in 1965 as a planner for the antipoverty agency, Coard helped build the organization into a $125 million enterprise for the poor, with 1,000 staff members helping more than 100,000 families a year with educational programs and support services.

He followed his “pathway out of poverty’’ philosophy to help people become self-sufficient.

Through his work, the agency started pioneering programs: the accredited Urban College of Boston; neighborhood health centers; and the first legal services program of its kind in the country run by a community agency.

He worked with city governments, sitting on an advisory council during the segregation and school busing crisis, and he successfully sued Richard Nixon in federal court to halt the president’s efforts to scrap the Office of Economic Opportunity, which ran the federal government’s antipoverty programs at the time.

“Bob is an icon when it comes to community action and is very widely respected nationally and locally,’’ said Juliette Mayers, chairwoman of the ABCD board of directors. “We have nothing but accolades, and we’ve just been extremely pleased with his performance and the impact the ABCD has had all over.’’

Mayor Thomas M. Menino “respects Mr. Coard and credits him with maintaining the very important mission of serving our city’s most vulnerable for so many years,’’ said Dot Joyce, Menino’s spokeswoman. “The mayor wishes him all the best in his next chapter.’’

Mayers said Coard has left a leadership team that will continue his work, and Drew is expected to help with the day-to-day work leading up to Coard’s retirement.

The organization also plans to turn its annual dinner, scheduled for Oct. 30, into a tribute to Coard’s work.

Milton Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com.