BRIDGEWATER – Robert B. Whited, 82, died April 22, 2011, at his home. He was born April 3, 1929, in Mars Hill, son of Fred and Edith (Stackpole) Whited.
Bob attended Bridgewater schools and graduated from Ricker Classical Institute in 1946. Knowing the importance for further education, he went on to attend the University of Maine, Orono, for two years in the agriculture program. He was a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity. After completing his education, he came home to the family farm to raise a family and do what he was proud of, raising seed potatoes for the next 40 years. Bob had an understanding of what was important in life to him – be it rides and picnics in the woods, spending time at the camp on Number Nine Lake, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, creating special projects in his woodworking shop or spending time with his family. Family was the focal point of his life, and he was willing to just sit and talk, make you laugh or cringe, tell a story, or try to convince you to see life as he saw it, which was always being fair to others, accepting of others choices and never being judgmental. He attended St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Mars Hill. Bob was a past noble grand of Bridgewater Odd Fellows Lodge, and more than 56-year member of Aroostook Lodge No. 197 AF & AM Lodge of Masons, Mars Hill, St. Aldamar Commandry No. 17, 54-year member of Anah Temple Shrine, Aroostook Shrine Club and Royal Order of Jesters. He learned to play golf later in life and spent many happy hours at Mars Hill Country Club. Bob served on Bridgewater School Board and Maine Seed Board for many years.
Surviving him are the love of his life, Edwena (Sirois) Whited of Bridgewater; two sons, Robert A. Whited and his wife, Pegi, of Veazie and Steven Whited and his wife, Joy, of Bridgewater; three daughters, Nancy Duncan and her husband, Rick, of Presque Isle, Mary Whited-McKeon and her husband, Tom, of Falmouth and Susan Pillsbury and her husband, Rusty, of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren, Jonathan Whited and his wife, Melanie, Leslie Supitalov, Raegan Whited, Fred Whited and his wife, Rachel, Erin Johnson and her husband, Dana, Sarah Duncan, and Alex, Morgan and Tucker Pillsbury; nine great-grandchildren; a special sister, Anna Duvall of New Jersey; several brothers and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Harris Whited; and a sister, Lydia Barager.
Friends and relatives may call 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Private funeral services for the family will be held Wednesday, April 27, with the Rev. Robert Smith officiating. Interment will be at Boundary Line Cemetery, Bridgewater. Gifts in his memory may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, P.O. Box 735, Bangor, ME 04402; JDRF, New England Chapter, 175 Ammon Drive, Suite 201, Manchester, NH 03103 or Aroostook House of Comfort Foundation, P.O. Box 766, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be made at
www.duncan-graves.com.