Robert A Dyer SR, Chebeague Island, ME, Passed away peacefully 5/14/22 at the Island Commons which sits on the foundation he helped build. Born to Henry L. and Mabel M. (Morton) on August 4, 1931. Robert A Dyer SR, Chebeague Island, ME, Passed away peacefully 5/14/22 at the Island Commons which sits on the foundation he helped build. Born to Henry L. and Mabel M. (Morton) on August 4, 1931.
Bob married the love of his life Beverly Calder on Jan 20, 1949. The story he told, they along with his cousin Joe Dyer went into Portland, ME in subzero weather in the Merganser. They went out to dinner at the Puritan Restaurant and stayed at the Everett Chambers. Their trip home “wasn’t quite as cold it got to zero”. They spent 69 years together raising their 5 children and enjoying gospel music by the Gaither groups.
Bob enjoyed his daily newspaper Portland Press Herald and Channel 6 news keeping up on current events both local and worldwide.
Bob and his dad had the Merganser built by Frost in 1948. She was only one month old when they made their trip to Portland. She was known at the time to be the fastest lobster boat in the bay.
Bob spent his life on the island. He was a commercial fisherman herring fishing with his father on the Betty D, dragging with his cousin Joe aboard the Marie & Catherine, and lobstering aboard the Maybe.
Bob wouldn’t admit to this but was truly a self-taught engineer. There was nothing he wouldn’t try to do to help others. As Joannie B(Robinson) said, “You can always count on the time, the tide and Bob Dyer!” He was known to launch and haul boats, move buildings with his homemade tractor and trailer, and dig foundations with his Alison tractor. He started in his own way what is today Chebeague Sand & Gravel. Working on roads was one of his favorite pastimes. Spending time on Long Island helping Dick Clarke rebuild the roads is one of his stories. He also worked for the Town of Cumberland Public Works Department (Phil Wentworth) and for Scott Dugas Trucking and Excavating (Scott Dugas). Lots more stories to fill twenty minutes.
Bob was a member of the Chebeague Island Fire Department for many years. He served on Engine 6 as a lieutenant. He was part of the crew that built the new fire station on North Road.
He was also known to build boats. He and Leon Tellinghuisen spent a lot of time building his first boat that he would name “MAYBE”. He started out lobstering in her. Then he and Wayne took to racing the boat in the local lobster boat races. What fun they had winning a few and losing a lot. Then came the “THE DREAM” from one of his famous dreams, he tried fiberglass for the first time. He was so proud of building this boat with no plans! He got to race her a couple of times but had to stop. They earned 17 racing trophies in total.
After trying to retire he worked in his garage on the West End. You know the one with the sign “if you don’t have twenty minutes don’t stop”, but everyone still stopped. His stories cover from the West End to the East End of the island. He either moved it or dug it up.
Survived by his children, Robert A. Jr. (Debra), Susan D. Campbell (David), Mark H. (Elizabeth), Kristen D. Buxbaum (Donald G.), Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Predeceased by the love of his life Beverly, his parents, siblings Henry Jr., Betty, and Kenneth, son Wayne and great granddaughter Faith Ginn.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Island Commons, Chebeague Transportation Company and the Chebeague Island Rescue for their time and care.
Memorials may be made to the Island Commons, 132 Littlefield Road, Chebeague Island, ME 04017
A celebration of life for Bob Dyer will be June 18th at 11am Chebeague IslandCcemetery.
