Robert Karl Bartlett, Sr. Obituary (1931 - 2018)

OAKLAND, ME--Robert Karl Bartlett passed away after a short illness on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. He was born on November 28, 1931 in Rockport, Maine, son of Ruth Packard and William Arnold Bartlett. As a young boy, one would find him playing in fields and streams, around the farm and getting into mischief with friends throughout the area. He spent a great deal of time with his grandmother, Bertha Bartlett. He told many stories of a childhood filled with exploration, freedom, and simplicity. He graduated from Rockport High School in 1950. He served four years in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist Mate First Class on the USS Power DD 839 from 1951 to 1955. He attended Northeastern University and graduated from Wentworth Institute in Boston with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He married his childhood neighbor and sweetheart, Betty Ann Lawton on June 12, 1955, who passed away February of 2014. In 1963, he designed and built the family home in Oakland, ME and it was there that he and Betty raised their four children. He was employed by Keyes Fibre as a Project Mechanical Engineer from 1961 to 1988. He took great but quiet gratification in his engineering designs, some of which are still being used today due to the fact they were so well engineered there was little or no room for improvement. His career allowed him the privilege to travel many places including Holland, Norway, Australia, Germany, France and all over the United States. Between his Navy and work travels, he visited over 31 countries. After his early retirement from Keyes Fibre, he co-founded Wrabacon, Inc.; a company that is currently owned and managed by his son. He retired from Wrabacon, Inc. in 1996. For many years, he and his wife also owned and operated Bartlett Christmas Tree Farms in several locations. This was a family effort and memories from those special times are ever present. He was also a member of the Rockport Masonic Lodge. Bob was a jack of all trades, an avid hunter, a furniture maker creating something special for everyone in the family. He was an expert gardener competing with family and neighbors on whose tomato was the biggest. He always knew the answer to any question posed and owned up to very strong opinions. He enjoyed fishing with several special friends to whom he regaled many a story. He enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles. He was never one to sit idle; always on the move doing something productive. He took special pride in his ancestry documenting a direct line to the Mayflower. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, sister, daughter and wife. He is survived by three loving children; Marlene and Steven Grenier of Albion, ME, Jennifer and Roland Normandeau of Oakland, ME, and Robert Jr. and Cindi Bartlett of Oakland, ME. Grandchildren; Katie and husband, Cory Gilbert, Daniel and wife, Bethanie Grenier, Hannah and husband, Josh LaVerdiere, Alaina and husband, Joseph Church, Rachel and husband Matt McLean, and Lucas Bartlett. Great-grandchildren; Oliva, Sage, Isabel, Wyatt, Vera, Emersyn, step great-grandson, Keegan and his soon to be eighth great-grandchild, Hadleigh. He is also survived by his sister, Norma (Bartlett) Philbrook of Owls Head, ME along with many nieces and nephews. He sadly leaves behind his truly devoted dog, Jaz. At his request, there will be no memorial service or funeral. An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers-Wheeler Funeral & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland, ME.