Bob Greene

SEBAGO — Bob Greene, 69, died at his home in Sebago on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 8, 2012.

He was born on April 30, 1943.

Bob will be remembered for his zest for life, quick wit (and corny jokes) and his love for his family, friends and his hometown.

He grew up in Sebago, the son of Dwight and Leona Greene. Bob attended schools in Sebago, graduated from Sebago’s Potter Academy, and attended the University of Maine before striking out to see the world.

As a long-term employee of Intel and then Leasing Systems in California, Bob was one of those fortunate people who are able to combine what they love with their job. In Bob’s case, it was his love of technology and computers, his love of teaching and mentoring people, and his love of travel and different cultures. He traveled all over the world as a computer hardware applications expert, marketer, and systems teacher. His jobs allowed him to live for many years in Japan and in England. He wholeheartedly embraced their cultures, their language, their customs and their food. One of the highlights of his globetrotting was flying in the SST (Supersonic Transport plane) across the Atlantic.

One of his lesser-known hobbies was collecting a t-shirt from every place and every position he had ever visited or worked for — these will soon be made into a memory quilt.

Bob never forgot the small town in Maine where he grew up and kept strong ties. When he first met his wife, Lin Petersen, in California in 1997, he introduced himself as just a “dumb farmer from Maine.” He moved back home to Sebago and he and Lin were married in his parent’s home at Mac’s Corner on Dec. 30, 1998.

Bob was always more comfortable in his flannel shirt and suspenders than in a suit and tie, but his world experience gave him a perspective and love of learning that never left him.

Sometimes, it felt as if Bob Greene was everywhere in Sebago — he loved his hometown and supported it with his labors and talents. He was active with the annual Sebago Days festival, setting up the wiring so that everything ran. He was a deacon in the Sebago Center Community Church. Bob was a beloved guest teacher at the Sebago Elementary School, telling stories about Sebago’s history and early settlers. He was active with the Sebago Historical Society and wrote the “Sebago History” page of the Town of Sebago’s website. For years, he helped coordinate the Potter Alumni annual dinners, baked Leona’s “secret baked bean recipe” for Sebago Auxiliary bean suppers, and was active with the Sebago Emergency Shelter Committee, The night before he died, Bob was the jolly and exuberant Santa at the Sebago Christmas Tree lighting at the Veterans’ Park.

Bob’s love of computers and technology was lifelong. When he moved back home, he started Lake Region Electric and did a variety of electrical contracting and computer trouble-shooting in the region. With good friend and colleague Herb Ranks (Ranks Plumbing and Electric), the two tackled a number of tough commercial electrical installations and repairs, including large equipment installations with F.R. Carroll in Limerick. Bob and Herb affectionately referred to each other as “the team of Rigor and Mortis!” In recent years, he helped out his good friend Bob Laliberte teaching an online project management course.

He had a close brush with death on July 13, 2003 when he suffered a burst abdominal aortic aneurysm. Had it not been for the prompt response of the Sebago EMS and Fire Department, Bob would not have survived. He was transported by ambulance to Bridgton Hospital and then rushed by LifeFlight helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland. There, he remained in intensive care for two weeks and his wife Lin was told that Bob was not expected to live.

At a ceremony honoring LifeFlight in Lewiston in June 2005, Bob said, “I would not be alive and standing here today if it were not for LifeFlight.” The nine years since 2003 have been golden and have been treasured by everyone who knew and loved Bob.

Bob is survived by his wife Lin; his brother, Ted; his sister Joanne; many nieces and nephews; his son David of Gloucester, Mass.; and stepsons Jeff, Erik and Joshua on the West Coast.

Bob was predeceased by his father Dwight and mother Leona; and his sister Nancy.

Services will be on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. Visiting hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sebago Center Community Church followed by a funeral service there. Interment will be at the North Baldwin Cemetery in the Greene family plot following the funeral service.

Arrangements by Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home (www.wnyfuneralhome.com).

Donations and memorials honoring Bob may be made to the Sebago Center Community Church or LifeFlight of Maine.