ASHLAND – Robert C. Hemmerle, 84, died March 13, 2006, at a Presque Isle hospital. He was born in Methuen, Mass., July 5, 1921, the son of William and Hattie (Hoffman) Hemmerle. Robie was an Army veteran of World War II, assigned to the 441st Troop Carrier Group. During his time in the service, he received training as an airplane engine mechanic and worked as an aerial engineer. As a pilot and mechanic, he transported the wounded during the war and then also piloted planes for Angel Flights, transporting the sick and wounded as a civilian. Before the war he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1937 to 1939. A very ingenious person, he invented and fabricated many useful items throughout his life, including a sidewalk plow, hot top patch for repairing roads, hot top rollers and the like. He was instrumental in building the first armored cars in Lawrence, Mass., and demonstrated the first snowmobile for Bombardier in Canada. Robie once built a 33-foot cabin cruiser, a project that took him five years to complete in his back yard. He lived in Methuen most of his life where he was employed for the Public Works Department for more than 20 years. He also was a proficient welder and crane operator, owning his own construction company. He relocated to Ashland two years ago from New Hampshire. Robie is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Winifred (Sherlock) Hemmerle of Ashland; two sons, Richard Hemmerle and his wife, Deborah, of Wildwood, Fla., Donald Hemmerle and his wife, Sandra, of Litchfield, N.H.; two daughters, Maureen Beuque and her fiance, Fred St. Peter, of Ashland, and Chris Desmet of Massachusetts; seven grandchildren, Heidi, Sean, Christopher, Dawn-Marie, Kait-lin, Kirstyn and Robert; four great-grandchildren, Alexandra, John, Sean and Shania; two very close life-long friends, Jennifer and Brittany Haynes. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Harold, and by two sisters, Gladys Holley and Bertha Riette. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no services. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the American Cancer Society. A service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland.
ROBERT C. HEMMERLE
