MILLINOCKET AND BREWER - ROBERT HAMLIN STETSON, 99, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2013 in Millinocket, Maine. Bob lived a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. He was born in Bangor, Maine on July 30, 1914, the firstborn son of Irving G. and Eleanor (Strickland) Stetson.
He was a graduate of Bangor High School and Wentworth Institute, Boston, where he graduated second in his class. He lived his entire life in Bangor and Brewer until moving to Millinocket to stay with his daughter, Mary several years ago.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II on Adak in the Aleutian Islands.
After the war he formed the R.H. Stetson Company and built bridges, roads, utility installations, buildings, and many other structures throughout Maine. He was well-known and highly respected for his blasting skills. Affectionately known as "Dynamite Bob", he was not particularly fond of the moniker. Aside from his family, Bob's work was his life. He was never content unless building something or operating his equipment. He rarely took a vacation or a day off except Sunday, and he remained active well into his 90's. He was honored that his son followed his footsteps into the field of engineering and construction. Coming from a family known for its history in the timber industry, Bob had a great love of forestry. He often told stories of cruising timber and surveying with his father in the Northeast Carry, East Middlesex Townships. He spent winters in the 1950’s trucking logs from the deep woods to be sent down the Penobscot River. Being a particular eater, he especially liked the lumber camp food and highly respected the cooks. His knowledge and love of the woods of Maine was something he passed on to each of his children. Bob was a faithful, long-time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bangor, where he helped to build the first church building.
Bob is survived by his brother, William Strickland Stetson of Brewer.
He is also survived by three children of whom he was very proud:
Son, John Howard Stetson and his wife, Alanna of Holden, ME; daughter, Mary Stetson Carson and her husband Jim of Millinocket, ME; and daughter Gay Stetson Newby and her husband
Brad of St. George, UT
He is also survived by his grandchildren:
Michelle Carson Parsons and her husband, Mickey of Hammond; Dr. Nathaniel Stetson and his wife, Dr. Fatima Jaffrey of Edmond, OK; Sarah Stetson of Holden; Rebekah Stetson and her significant other, Chad Campbell of Bradley; Daniel Stetson of Holden; Aleisha Newby and fiancé Josiah Devoe of Hampden; Brandon Newby and his wife, Sarah of St. George UT; Justin Newby of St. George, UT; and Rachel Newby of Boston, MA. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Charlotte Stetson; brother Frederick Hasting Stetson; his wife of over 50 years, Valeda (Small) Stetson; a son, David Coombs Stetson; grandson, Brian Robert Newby; and granddaughter, Janet Leigh Carson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday December 19, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 639 Grandview Avenue, Bangor. Relatives and friends may call from 10:00 until the time of service Thursday. Spring interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, East Bucksport. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
He was a graduate of Bangor High School and Wentworth Institute, Boston, where he graduated second in his class. He lived his entire life in Bangor and Brewer until moving to Millinocket to stay with his daughter, Mary several years ago.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II on Adak in the Aleutian Islands.
After the war he formed the R.H. Stetson Company and built bridges, roads, utility installations, buildings, and many other structures throughout Maine. He was well-known and highly respected for his blasting skills. Affectionately known as "Dynamite Bob", he was not particularly fond of the moniker. Aside from his family, Bob's work was his life. He was never content unless building something or operating his equipment. He rarely took a vacation or a day off except Sunday, and he remained active well into his 90's. He was honored that his son followed his footsteps into the field of engineering and construction. Coming from a family known for its history in the timber industry, Bob had a great love of forestry. He often told stories of cruising timber and surveying with his father in the Northeast Carry, East Middlesex Townships. He spent winters in the 1950’s trucking logs from the deep woods to be sent down the Penobscot River. Being a particular eater, he especially liked the lumber camp food and highly respected the cooks. His knowledge and love of the woods of Maine was something he passed on to each of his children. Bob was a faithful, long-time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bangor, where he helped to build the first church building.
Bob is survived by his brother, William Strickland Stetson of Brewer.
He is also survived by three children of whom he was very proud:
Son, John Howard Stetson and his wife, Alanna of Holden, ME; daughter, Mary Stetson Carson and her husband Jim of Millinocket, ME; and daughter Gay Stetson Newby and her husband
Brad of St. George, UT
He is also survived by his grandchildren:
Michelle Carson Parsons and her husband, Mickey of Hammond; Dr. Nathaniel Stetson and his wife, Dr. Fatima Jaffrey of Edmond, OK; Sarah Stetson of Holden; Rebekah Stetson and her significant other, Chad Campbell of Bradley; Daniel Stetson of Holden; Aleisha Newby and fiancé Josiah Devoe of Hampden; Brandon Newby and his wife, Sarah of St. George UT; Justin Newby of St. George, UT; and Rachel Newby of Boston, MA. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Charlotte Stetson; brother Frederick Hasting Stetson; his wife of over 50 years, Valeda (Small) Stetson; a son, David Coombs Stetson; grandson, Brian Robert Newby; and granddaughter, Janet Leigh Carson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday December 19, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 639 Grandview Avenue, Bangor. Relatives and friends may call from 10:00 until the time of service Thursday. Spring interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, East Bucksport. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
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