AUGUSTA – Robert Long Witham shed this mortal coil and passed on to the undiscovered country Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010. He suffered no pain, and passed away quietly and peacefully at his home, in the presence of his wife of almost 62 years and family. He was born Friday, Feb. 13, 1920, at North Bend, outside of Surry. He was fond of claiming that Friday the 13th was his lucky day. He was the only child of Willis Wilbur Witham and Adelaide Victoria (Carpenter) Witham. At age 3, his family moved from North Bend to live on a farm in East Blue Hill. He attended George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill, until age 16 when he left school to help support his family. At age 17 he joined East Blue Hill Grange and became master at age 18, making him the youngest master ever in that Grange chapter. He remained a lifelong member of the Grange, a total of 73 years. He participated in Youth Conservation Corps at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Dennysville, helping conduct surveys of duck and woodcock populations. He later worked as a welding chipper at the South Portland shipyard prior to his entry into the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was proud to claim the title of “fastest chipper” by removing more feet of weld from a ship deck during his shift than any other worker there. He was stationed in India during the war as a supply sergeant, handling materials and supplies for much of the China-Burma-India Theater of operations. After the war he returned to Maine and entered the Maine Warden Service, moving to Millinocket in 1946. He married Susan Annie Klimas, Feb. 28, 1949, and moved to “The Hathaway Farm” in Medway, on the banks of the East Branch of the Penobscot, where they lived for the next 47 years. He joined the Masons as a member of Nollesemic Lodge, Millinocket, in 1953, and remained a member of the lodge until his death. He served as chaplain of the lodge for several years, and was the director of several Masonic plays presented by Nollesemic lodge members across Maine. He was a 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish Rites, a Knight Templar in the York Rites as well, and a member of Anah Shrine, Bangor. On May 1, 1990, he was recognized for his contributions to masonry when he was awarded the Simon Greenleaf Medal at the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Maine. He left the warden service in 1954, and went to work for Great Northern Paper Co., East Millinocket, as a watchman, and later held positions as a storekeeper at East Millinocket and Millinocket mills until his retirement in 1985. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a registered Maine Guide for many years. He loved to spend time with friends at his hunting camp in Weston, where he was “camp cook.” He claimed the title of cook because, as he pointed out to his hunting companions at the camp, “the cook doesn’t have to do the dishes.” The arrangement worked well for all involved through nearly 40 years of hunting trips at the camp, and many a glass of Crown Royal was shared among friends there after the hunt was over and the chores were done. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Barbara Ann Witham of Lamoine; his son, Robert L. Witham Jr. and his wife, Michele, of Augusta; his grandchildren, Melanie Anne (Witham) Mistretta and her husband, Cataldo, of Mendon, Mass., and Jason Willis Witham and his wife, Jeannine, of Warwick, R.I., as well as four great-grandchildren. Interment of his cremated remains will be at Grindstone Road Cemetery, Medway. A family reception and wake will be hosted 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 6, by Frank and Ann Davis at their home on Powersville Road, Medway, to allow friends to say hello and remember his life. A Masonic graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his name to Healthreach Hospice, care of MaineGeneral Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903. “The workman has laid down his tools and submitted his work. The Great Architect has tested his stone by the plumb, level, and square and found it true to His plan. It has been judged a perfect ashlar, and fit to be included in His heavenly house. His work is complete and he can now rest from his labors.”
ROBERT LONG WITHAM
