Robert Hamlin Stetson

MILLINOCKET and BREWER – Robert Hamlin Stetson, 99, passed away peacefully Dec. 13, 2013, in Millinocket. Bob lived a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. He was born July 30, 1914, in Bangor, the firstborn son of Irving G. and Eleanor (Strickland) Stetson.
He was a graduate of Bangor High School and Wentworth Institute, Boston, where he graduated second in his class. He lived his entire life in Bangor and Brewer until moving to Millinocket to stay with his daughter, Mary several years ago. Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II on Adak in the Aleutian Islands. After the war he formed the R.H. Stetson Company and built bridges, roads, utility installations, buildings, and many other structures throughout Maine. He was well­known and highly respected for his blasting skills. Affectionately known as “Dynamite Bob,” he was not particularly fond of the moniker. Aside from his family, Bob’s work was his life. He was never content unless building something or operating his equipment. He rarely took a vacation or a day off except Sunday, and he remained active well into his 90s. He was honored that his son followed his footsteps into the field of engineering and construction. Coming from a family known for its history in the timber industry, Bob had a great love of forestry. He often told stories of cruising timber and surveying with his father in the Northeast Carry, East Middlesex Townships. He spent winters in the 1950s trucking logs from the deep woods to be sent down the Penobscot River. Being a particular eater, he especially liked the lumber camp food and highly respected the cooks. His knowledge and love of the woods of Maine was something he passed on to each of his children. Bob was a faithful, long­time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter­Day Saints in Bangor, where he helped to build the first church building.
Bob is survived by his brother, William Strickland Stetson of Brewer. He is also survived by three children of whom he was very proud; son, John Howard Stetson and his wife, Alanna, of Holden; daughter, Mary Stetson Carson and her husband, Jim, of Millinocket; and daughter, Gay Stetson Newby and her husband, Brad, of St. George, Utah. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michelle Carson Parsons and her husband, Mickey, of Hammond, Dr. Nathaniel Stetson and his wife, Dr. Fatima Jaffrey, of Edmond, Okla., Sarah Stetson of Holden, Rebekah Stetson and her significant other, Chad Campbell, of Bradley, Daniel Stetson of Holden, Aleisha Newby and fiancé, Josiah Devoe, of Hampden, Brandon Newby and his wife, Sarah, of St. George, Utah, Justin Newby of St. George, Utah, and Rachel Newby of Boston. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Charlotte Stetson; brother, Frederick Hasting Stetson; his wife of over 50 years, Valeda (Small) Stetson; a son, David Coombs Stetson; grandson, Brian Robert Newby; and granddaughter, Janet Leigh Carson.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 639 Grandview Ave., Bangor. Relatives and friends may call 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday. Spring interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, East Bucksport. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.