Robert L. Monette, 63, instructor

Robert L. Monette, 63, of Solebury, who overcame daunting physical ailments to become a lawyer, instructor, and motivational speaker, died Sunday, May 3, of cancer at home.

Born in Lawrence, Mass., Mr. Monette had spina bifida and other conditions that caused doctors to give him only days to live. But despite numerous operations and long hospital stays, he lived an active, distinguished life.

Mr. Monette always gave credit to his parents for encouraging him to live as normally as possible. He was a 1969 graduate of Andover High School and a 1975 summa cum laude graduate of Bentley University, Waltham, Mass. In 1993, he earned a degree from Villanova Law School.

After college, Mr. Monette worked as an auditor at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare office in Boston. He passed the CPA exam, and approached Vincent Lambers of Lambers CPA Review in North Andover, Mass., requesting a chance to teach CPA candidates in the Lambers evening school.

"There, Mr. Monette found his calling as an outstanding instructor and motivational speaker," his family said in a remembrance.

In 1981 Mr. Monette purchased a CPA Review course from Harry Gross, now a Philadelphia Daily News personal finance columnist. Mr. Monette changed the name to Gross-Monette CPA Review and expanded the course work. In 1998, Becker CPA Review, a division of DeVry Inc., acquired the assets of Gross-Monette CPA Review Course. Mr. Monette remained as chief instructor at four Philadelphia-area sites; the firm has 170 sites in North America.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Monette helped thousands of students pass the CPA exam through his live instruction, motivation, and inspiration, his family said. He also was known nationally for his videos, CDs, and online instruction through Bisk Education of Tampa.

"He taught from a wheelchair, and he was good," said Gross. "He had a good speaking voice."

Mr. Monette was an avid reader, a Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, a competitive card player, and a lover of Labrador retrievers, especially pets Scout and Bella.

Mr. Monette met his wife, Brenda Burbine, in junior high school. The two were married for 39 years.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a cousin, Bill Harrison, who donated a kidney to Mr. Monette in 2004, and other cousins.

A graveside service was held Thursday.

Contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia 19140, or Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue, Box 638, Warrington, Pa. 18976.