OGDENSBURG, N.Y. – Elmer Parker Yates, 93, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Aug. 14, 2011, in Ogdensburg, N.Y., while living with his son and daughter-in-law at their home. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Elmer was born to Archie O. Yates and Gertrude (Wilson) Yates in Bangor, where he grew up.
He graduated from Bangor High School. He met his future wife, Natalie Hope Duty, at age 12 while they were both waiting to perform at a piano recital. From then on their relationship grew as they enjoyed outdoor sports, woodcarving, and studying together. Shortly after his graduation from West Point in 1941, Elmer and Natalie married. They were lifetime partners, their marriage lasting for 69 years. During his 30-year career in the Army Corps of Engineers, Elmer was stationed in Hawaii and the Philippines during World War II. After the war he taught at West Point, and then attended graduate school at Cornell University, where he received his Master of Science degree in engineering physics. After four years in Albuquerque, N.M., and Killeen Base, Texas, Elmer spent two years serving in the Korean War. In 1956, his family of four, including son, Doug; and daughter, Kay, moved to Arlington, Va., while he was assigned to Atomic Energy Commission and The Pentagon. During this part of his life, the family became avid boaters, once cruising from the Potomac River to Trenton, and back in their small boat. After 1963, Elmer served successively as Philadelphia district engineer, division engineer at Portland, Ore., director of construction in Vietnam, and finished up his career back in Washington. He retired as a major general in 1971. Elmer and Natalie returned to Maine where they built a home in Trenton, “Chickadee Cove,” on Oak Point Road. They enjoyed 39 years of retirement at Chickadee Cove on Western Bay. Their view of the ocean, Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island was a constant source of pleasure, and they thoroughly enjoyed their life together there, as did the many family and friends who visited and enjoyed a warm welcome. Elmer kept active with ham radio, and served a term as selectman in town government. Finally, health reasons had them move in with son, Doug and wife, Jean, in Ogdensburg, N.Y., on the St. Lawrence River, so they were still near the water. Throughout the years, Elmer’s many interests included ham radio, sailing, cross-country skiing, travel, building projects, computers, and spending time with his wife, family and friends.
Elmer was predeceased by his loving wife, Natalie; and by brothers, Donald and Lester. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Jean Yates, and their daughter, Lynda, great-grandsons, James and Matthew Bargmann, and great-great-grandson, Jordan Bargmann; and daughter and son-in-law, Kay Yates and Mike Brantley, and Kay’s two daughters, April Claxton and Tami Newburgh, and great-grandson, Isaiah Parker Newburgh – who bears his great grandfather’s middle name.
There will be no services at this time. Elmer’s ashes will join those of his wife, where they will be together forever. Memorial contributions may be made to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 962, Ellsworth, ME 04605-0962.