Robert Leo Wheldon

CUMBERLAND — Robert Leo Wheldon, 80, of Chebeague Island died Nov. 1, 2000, at a
local nursing facility.

Born in Portland, a son of Leo and Helen Hill Wheldon, he attended Portland schools until
his mother died when he was 11. He later was brought up on Chebeague Island by his
maternal grandmother, Mrs. Philip Hill, and graduated from Chebeague High School in
1937.

Mr. Wheldon flew for United Airlines in New York from 1939 until he enlisted with the
Army Air Forces in 1941. During World War II, he flew with the 17th Bomber Group of the
432nd Division in the European Theater. He met his wife, the former Agnes A.
Higginbotham, while she was a nurse stationed in Berlin. After Mr. Wheldon's discharge
from the Air Force in 1946, they were married in 1947.

He lived with his family in New York and New Jersey from 1947 until 1969, where he
continued his career as a pilot for United Airlines. He retired as a captain in 1980 after 41
years.

His family spent summers on Chebeague Island, moving here permanently in 1969. He also
spent winters in Florida until 1995.

Mr. Wheldon was a member of the 432nd Bomber Squadron in the 17th Bomb Group, the
Masons, the Kiwanis, the Chebeague Island Grange and the Chebeague Island Methodist
Church.

Surviving are his wife, Agnes Wheldon of Chebeague Island; a daughter, Helen L. Wheldon
of Gainesville, Fla.; a son, Charles R. of Bangor; and two grandsons, Jason R. and Lee H.
Wheldon, both of Bangor.

A visiting hour will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Chebeague Island Methodist Church,
where a funeral will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Robert Leon and the Rev. George Tripp will
officiate. Burial will be in Chebeague Island Cemetery. Arrangements are by Lindquist
Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane.