Robert E. Stone

OTISFIELD — Robert Ellis Stone, 71, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 at his childhood home in Otisfield.

Robert was born in Otisfield on April 30, 1941, the son of Ellis A. Stone and Estelle (Pottle) Stone. He was educated at Otisfield Elementary School, Casco High School and the University of Maine. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963, during the height of the Cold War. He completed basic training at the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois. He subsequently completed U.S Naval Submarine School in 1966 and served his country for 12 years, including a tour on the nuclear submarine, the U.S. Halibut, which was featured in the book “Blind Man’s Bluff.”

Following honorable discharge from the Navy on Dec. 19, 1975, Robert worked at Engel’s shipyard as a Health Physics technician. In 1977, he began working for several companies — Numanco, Bartlett Nuclear and Advanced Recycling Center (ARC), that supply radiation protection technicians for nuclear power plants. His duties included health physics instructor, general employee training and working as a radiation protection technician. He also worked on a decommission site as a health physics technician for several years.

Robert married Jessie Valle McKechnie of Gourock, Scotland while on tour with the Navy on April 27, 1973. After they married, Robert, Jessie and their daughter Valerie moved to the United States, settling in Casco and ultimately in Pennsylvania. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage.

Robert loved nature, enjoyed fishing, camping and exploring, especially with his grandchildren. He and his wife were avid gardeners and race horse enthusiasts. He had hoped to be able to make one more fishing trip to northern Maine with his sisters and their husbands. He will be with them in spirit this spring.

Robert’s family will miss his wry sense of humor and his wonderful story telling ability. He remembered every poem he ever learned and could declaim it completely. The wild tales of creeping about the depths of the ocean in a nuclear submarine off the western coast of the USSR were particularly entertaining.

Robert met his end with grace, dignity, bravery and humor — an example for all of us.

Robert is survived by his daughter Valerie Schmidt; his son Ellis Stone; his two granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; and his two sisters, Elizabeth Watson of Casco and Caroline Zilinsky of Otisfield.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jessie.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. at the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church on Rayville Road in Otisfield followed by interment at Elmwood Cemetery, located across the road from the church. A reception will follow immediately at the church fellowship room.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at www.woundedwarriorsproject.org/donate.aspx

Arrangements under the direction of Oxford Hills & Weston Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Route 26 Oxford, Maine. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com