BELFAST – Rodney M. Robbins, 87, died Aug. 9, 2009, in Belfast, after a brief struggle with cancer. He was born Sept. 16, 1921, in Belfast, the eldest of eight children of Charles F. and Mary (Burden) Robbins. Rod grew up during the Depression years, and at that time he felt it more important to get a job and help his family than to continue school. He worked at many jobs back then – harvesting ice, raking blueberries and cutting wood, and finally found more steady work in Belfast shoe factories. In 1942 Rod married Ruth Elizabeth Walker and together they raised their three children. Rod never traveled or went on vacations. Instead he bought and sold 10 houses, renovating them while living in them, thus making a small profit which enabled him to provide a little extra for his family. In 1968 Rod became superintendent of the Belfast cemeteries. He worked at making the cemeteries places of beauty and neatness. Rod was instrumental in expanding Grove Cemetery into the size that it is now, building a new workshop and updating equipment for his men. Rod had few hobbies; he did enjoy visits to Owls Head to see the old cars and planes, liked old Western movies, listening to Johnny Cash and Buck Owens songs, and discussing politics and sharing visits with his grandchildren. Rod was a member of Belfast United Methodist Church and liked to frequent public suppers there. Rod was a fan of his children and grandchildren, to whom he often gave advice, and they listened to it graciously. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth (Walker) Robbins of Belfast; a son, Roger E. Robbins and his wife, Linda Cammarota, of Newbury, N.H.; a daughter, Donna M. (Robbins) Costa and her husband, Roger, of Somers, Conn.; a son-in-law, Stephen M. Boguen of Belfast; a brother, Fred Robbins of Kittery; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Larita Gray and her husband, Maynard, of Fairfield, Mrs. Lillian Green of Belfast and Mrs. Ruth Merry Robbins of Belfast; five grandchildren, Kevin R. Kibbe and his wife, Doreen, of Enfield, Conn., Christopher G. Kibbe and his wife, Angie, of Enfield, Conn., Roger A. Kibbe and his wife, Michelle, of Coventry, R.I., special granddaughter, Amanda E. (Boguen) Munson and her husband, Patrick, of Belfast and Michael S. Boguen of Belfast; 10 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rob was predeceased by his parents, Charles F. and Mary (Burden) Robbins; his brothers, Charles, Newell, Russell, Herman and Everard; his sister, Lillian, all of Belfast; and a daughter, Jan Elizabeth Boguen of Belfast. A special thank you is given to Kathy Warner, R.N., from Waldo County Home Health & Hospice for her kind and caring touch. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Grove Cemetery, Belfast. A celebration of Rod’s life will be held after the service at Belfast United Methodist Church, Mill Lane, Belfast. In place of flowers, donations in Rod’s memory may be made to Waldo County Home Health Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 772, Belfast, ME 04915. Arrangements under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.
RODNEY M. ROBBINS
