BLUE HILL – Robert Norwood Bannister, 80, died unexpectedly Jan. 20, 2009, surrounded by family members, at his winter home in West Palm Beach, Fla. Robert was born July 3, 1928, at Hurly Hospital, Ellsworth, the son of Frank C. Bannister and Hope Norwood Bannister of Rockville Center, N.Y., and Southwest Harbor, and grandson of Robie and Emma Norwood of Southwest Harbor. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia Eckler Bannister; and his three children, sons, Richard Bannister and his wife, Vernette, John Bannister and his wife, Michelle, and his daughter, Lynne Strasenburgh, all of Blue Hill; and five grandchildren, Brooke Clapp and her husband, Troy, Troy and Travis Bannister, and Eric and Tyler Strasenburgh. He was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Gage and Lael Clapp, all of Blue Hill. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Reilly of New Harbor; sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Tom Hodge of Rockville Center, N.Y.; and six nieces and their families. His early schooling in Rockville Center, N.Y., was followed by his attending and graduating from New Hampton Prep School, New Hampshire. This was followed by a year at Lehigh University, two years of service in the Army and then graduation from Lehigh. Upon graduation, Bob married Patricia Eckler of Hempstead, N.Y., and immediately started his first job in retailing. He worked for Allied Stores – Stern Brothers, for 14 years as assistant buyer, buyer, merchandise manager and finally divisional manager, then in 1965 he bought Merrill & Hinckley grocery store in Blue Hill and returned to the place he most wanted to live. He grew the business for more than 20 years, until he semi retired in 1985 and spent many happy months each year with his wife at his Florida winter residence in West Palm Beach, Fla. Bob got his private pilot’s license and enjoyed many years of flying his own airplanes around New England. He thoroughly enjoyed playing poker with his friends, owning race horses with Kermit Allen and betting the ponies. He loved watching his kids and grandkids grow up. He loved the family camp on Long Pond, Mount Desert Island and the family gatherings held there. He had wonderful memories of 16 full summers at his grandparent’s home in Southwest Harbor. He was an 18-year member of the board of directors of Associated Grocers of Maine, and served as president and chairman his last two years. He was one of the original co-founders of Peninsula Ambulance Corp., in 1968. When it was started, it was all volunteers and he was one of only two people who made more than 1000 volunteer ambulance trips to help other people in need. He was instrumental in starting up and served as president of Blue Hill Chamber of Commerce. He served for many years on Blue Hill Memorial Hospital Board, his last two as vice chairman. He was an active member of Blue Hill I.O.O.F No. 79 for 43 years. During the twilight years of his life, his most favorite passion was meeting with his coffee group – fellow retirees, every morning to discuss the world events and solve the local problems. The friendships and camaraderie he developed there were priceless. He would definitely want that group to continue on without him and keep brainstorming. He was a credit to all of us and left the world a better place than he found it. For those who desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund. Services will be held in early summer.
ROBERT N. BANNISTER
