SHERMAN – Robert “Bob” “Bubby” MacKay Dyer, 63, went peacefully to be with the Lord Nov. 5, 2010, while surrounded by family at his home. Bob spent the last 12 years of his life enjoying family and friends while courageously battling cancer. He was born Oct. 16, 1947, in Portland, to Robert T. and Ruth Dyer. Bob went to high school at Glen Cove Christian Academy, attended Houghton College in New York and graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where he met his soulmate, Patsy Thompson Dyer. Bob and Patsy married June 3, 1972. He was a physical education teacher at Katahdin Middle and High School for 34 years. Bob did not just teach fitness, but also taught the students lessons of life. He instilled in students the love of nature, adventure, to love and respect themselves and others. Bob always found the strengths in individuals and helped them build confidence to reach their full potential. Through teaching, coaching and service to the community, he was recognized with many honorable awards, including Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Soccer Coach of the Year, Maine Principals Association’s Service to Maine Youth Award, Eastern Maine Medical Center Community Service Award, founder of the Celebration of Life Event and he was inducted into the University of Maine Presque Isle Hall of Fame. Bob’s love of nature was evident by the way he shared it with others. His enthusiasm for the outdoors was contagious and his natural ability to teach always shined through. Some of the hobbies he enjoyed with family and friends were hunting, fishing, kayaking, ice climbing, hiking, skiing, skating, gardening and guiding. As a registered Maine guide he spent as much time in the woods as possible. His personality and warped sense of humor brought excitement to each adventure. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Patsy Dyer of Sherman; his devoted daughters, Jaime and husband, Jason Pangburn, of Eddington, Jodi Dyer of Ghana, West Africa, and Jinger and husband, Chris Pepin, of Etna; adoring grandchildren, Jonathon, Jacquelynn and Joshua Pangburn, and Natalea, Silas and Hayden Pepin; mother, Ruth Dyer of Bangor, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorothy and Calvin Thompson of Lincoln; sister, Carol Fetter of Massachusetts; brother, Larry Dyer of Monroe; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sandra and Danny Delano of Pittsfield, Mary and George Keegan of Lincoln and Gay and Steve Proctor of Lincoln. He was predeceased by his father, Robert T. Dyer; and granddaughter, Jenovieve Pangburn. A celebration of life service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Katahdin Elementary School, Stacyville, with Steve Richardson officiating. A reception and time of sharing to honor his legacy be will immediately after. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Dyer Educational Scholarship or the Celebration of Life Community Fund, P.O. Box 171, Sherman, ME 04776. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. His life was a gift to all who knew him.
ROBERT ‘BOB’ ‘BUBBY’ MACKAY DYER
