ROBERT A. LARSON ‘REDDOG’

AURORA – Robert “Bob” Larson died peacefully June 27, 2009, in Ellsworth. Bob was born Sept. 29, 1935, in New Jersey, the son of Hans Peter and Alma “Lolly” Larson. As a child, he grew up in New Jersey with his family, where he excelled at baseball and basketball. The day after graduation from Jonathan Dayton Regional High School in 1954, Bob jumped on a train and followed his older brothers to Aurora. Bob worked beside his brothers at Birches Hunting & Fishing Camps Lodge until the mid 1960s. He then operated Larson Brother’s Garage, Route 9, for the next decade while also starting to work as a deputy sheriff for Hancock County. Bob was also involved with the town of Aurora as he held the positions of fire chief, constable, register of voters, fire warden and dog catcher. Throughout his life, Bob had a great love for dogs and starting in the ’70s, his bloodhound, Baron, was used to track for Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. In the ’80s, came Bubba, the chow mix with attitude, and most recently, Sierra, a husky mix that he rescued and was his faithful companion. Bob continued working at Hancock County Sheriff’s Department for the next 35 years as a patrol deputy and dispatcher. Bob retired in 2003 from the sheriff’s department, but continued working part-time because of his love for the patrol officers and dispatchers. Any one that called the sheriff’s department had to have heard the famous, “Sheriff’s Office, Larson!” He was very active and loved snowmobiling around Great Pond, he also played men’s league softball in Ellsworth for more than 20 years. The greatest joy for Bob was to be with his two grandsons, Colby and Javen. They called him “Grampy Reddog,” and the three of them could be found playing ball and looking for any type of creature, they left no log or stone unturned. He attended all of their soccer games and was so proud of their accomplishments. Their most recent wild adventure was when Bob didn’t feel well and the boys were determined to show him what they had caught in front of his camp on Long Pond. Somehow in the process of showing “Grampy Reddog” their prize catch at the kitchen table, one frog escaped and all you could see was “Grampy Reddog” laughing and smiling as his two special boys chased that frog all around the camp. Bob will be dearly missed by survivors, including his daughter, Robin Clarke and her husband, Jason; grandsons, Colby Tyrus and Javen Robert; his daughter, Kristina Larson; sister-in-law, Louise Larson; nieces, Julie Whitney and Bridgett Larson; and nephews, Charlie and David McLuskey, Patrick and Arthur Larson. The many friends Bob had included Jerry Whitney, Donna and Judy Manzo, Michelle and Tim Cote and Erik Fitch. He also had special golfing buddies, Darren and Lisa Dennis, that he had so much fun with. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Arthur and Peter Larson; and sister, Jane McLuskey Family and friends may visit 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Ellsworth Assembly of God Church, Beechland Road, Ellsworth, where a memorial gathering will begin 5 p.m. with the Rev. Burton Lowry officiating. Open sharing and refreshments will be afterwards beginning 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Downeast Family YMCA-Youth Sports & Camp Discovery Scholarship Funds in Robert’s name, care of Jeanne Wood, P.O. Box 25, Ellsworth, ME 04605.