Obituary of Robert E. Bishop

Robert E. “Bob” Bishop, 94, passed away Jan. 18, 2012, with his daughters at his side, after a brief illness. Bob was born on Oct. 7, 1917 in Caribou, the son of Walter Freeman and Mina Lillian (Roberts) Bishop. Bob has been a life-long resident of Caribou until the early 1980’s when he moved to Belfast. He received an associate degree in Agriculture from the University of Maine in Orono in 1939. A veteran of World War II, he served three years, two of which were in the European theatre. During this time he was awarded a citation for acts of Merit in France, Belgium and Holland. He has been an American Legion member for over 60 years (a lifetime member) and also a charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bob was also a member of the Young Farmer Association, Caribou Historical Society, and a former key member of the Lions Club. He has also been a member of the Rotary in Belfast. During the 1960’s Bob was an elected member of the city Representative Government in Caribou for three years. He served three years on the Board of Assessors and two terms on the Board of Trustees at the Nylander Museum. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees at the Universalist Church in Caribou. From 1946 to 1956 Bob was a potato farmer and shipper in Washburn and Caribou. Following the potato business he built and was a proprietor of the Red Brick Motel until retirement in 1976. Bob has always enjoyed growing big vegetable gardens in the summer and proudly shared his crop. He loved fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Bob is survived by his two daughters, Nancy B. Tracy of Brewer and Carol B. Spinney and her husband Gary of Rockport; grandchildren, Kristi Todd and her husband Jared of Rockport, and Jenifer Mason and her husband Levi of Waldoboro; step-granddaughter Karen Dow and husband Joshua of Falmouth; 3 great grandsons, Alexander and Dominic Todd of Rockport and Zachary Mason of Waldoboro; nephew, David Reed and wife Julie of Holden; niece, Paula Leavitt of Shapleigh; second wife, Dorothy (Dow) Bishop of Attleboro, MA; step-children, Ann Larson and husband Glen of Norton, MA; Barb Pelkey and husband Steve of Westbrook; Cheryl Lunn and husband Michael of Fla.; and Wesley Philbrook of MA. Bob is predeceased by his parents, Walter and Mina (Roberts) Bishop; his brother, William Bishop and wife Orize; his sister, Annetta (Bishop) Reed and husband Stanley; his loving wife Dorothea I. Wilbur Bishop; his granddaughter Shelli Jean Lombard; and his son-in-law Eugene C. Tracy. Relatives and friends are welcome to visit from 5-7 pm Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast where a funeral service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, Jan. 25, with the Pastor Alan Shumway, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Belfast, officiating. An interment service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Caribou in the spring. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.