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ROCKPORT - Robert W. Hall of Rockport, passed away at Pen-Bay Medical Center on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, at the age of 93.

Born and raised in Appleton, Bob attended local area schools, graduating from Appleton High School in 1939. Upon graduation he relocated to South Portland and for the next two years worked at the South Portland Shipyard building Liberty Ships. During his employment at the shipyard, Bob became an accomplished welder. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and after basic training served in the South Pacific during World War II. Prior to the end of the war, his entire platoon was separated from their battalion on a Japanese held island. The platoon was listed as MIA for six months. When the American Forces returned to the island, the platoon reentered active duty. For the final six months of his enlistment, Staff Sargent Hall was stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station. While serving at BNAS, he met US Navy Wave, Eleanor Della Contrada, from Rome, New York. They were married September 12, 1946, in Rome, New York, and made their first home in Camden, later moving to Limerock St. in Rockport.

Following his former trade, he worked with Elmer Heal as a welder. Upon the opening of Camden Tanning, he worked as Maintenance Supervisor. During his 34 years at the Tannery, Bob designed and personally built several machines to aid in the tanning process. He retired in 1989.

Following his retirement and unable to sit idle, he began employment with W.T. Perry Electric in Rockland. Bob served many years with the Rockport Fire Department, Knox County Civil Defense and on the Buildings and Grounds Committee for the Camden- Rockport Historical Society. He was instrumental in the moving of the 1820 Maple Sugar House and was responsible for the building's restoration as well as serving as Sugar House demonstrator for numerous years at the annual Maple Sugar Days.

Bob enjoyed playing softball on the Camden Tanning Softball Team, hunting and fishing. A true “Jack of All Trades,” Bob could repair or fix anything. He even liked to bake, and at one time co-owned and operated a bakery in Rockland. In his later years, he enjoyed caring for his home, keeping vegetable gardens, high bush blueberries, and will be remembered as “the man on Limerock Street who mowed his lawn to the perfection of golf course play.”

He was a kind, gentle man; a quiet man, devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandsons. He was always ready to bring the family together for lobster and clam dinners to celebrate “just because” occasions. He enjoyed a special relationship with his wife's family, especially his Texan nephew William McLellan.

Bob was predeceased by his cherished wife of 62 years, Eleanor Hall in 2008. A brother, Fred A. Hall and a sister, Frances Jackson. He is survived by his daughters, Marlene Hall of Owls Head, Doreen Duke and her husband Robert, Jr., of Rockport; a grandson, Jonathan Duke and his wife Joanna; granddaughter Gabrielle Duke, all of Rockport; great-grandsons, William and Carter Duke of Rockport; a sister Anna Betts of Bangor; niece Judy Cyr; nephew Wayne Levasseur, both of Bangor; cousin, Rolland Hall of Keene, New Hampshire; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date this month.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.