Robert Van Waes, 86, died after a long illness on July 12 in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he made his home since 2007, moving with his wife, Barbara, from New Harbor.
He was born on July 29, 1923, to Philip and Grace (Green) Van Waes in Kewanee, Ill. He was a veteran of WWII, enlisting in the Navy a month after Pearl Harbor. He served as a Signalman aboard the battleship USS New Mexico. He received his BA from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. and his MA from Columbia University in New York City. An educator and organizer throughout his lifetime, he taught American History and Political Science at Monmouth College in New Jersey, and later worked for the American Association of University Professors in Washington, D.C., until his retirement to Bridgton. Always involved in education, he taught a popular course in American History, entitled “Roosevelt and Hitler, the great protagonists” for Senior College in Brunswick. Active in community affairs and Democratic politics, he twice ran, and was twice defeated, for a seat in the State Legislature.
A voracious reader and writer, he authored various publications, the last of which was a weekly humor column for The Lincoln County News in Damariscotta. These columns became the course of his book Maine Folks and Maine Ways which he also illustrated. While living in Bridgton, he served on many boards, including Good Neighbors, Western ME Counseling, the Bridgton Public Library, and was a Director of Community Relations and Development for Northern Cumberland Hospital. After moving to New Harbor, he was a most active and ardent supporter of the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid. A life member, he served as secretary, president and fund raiser.
He is predeceased by his first wife, Lois Larson Van Waes; brother, Jackie; and adopted brother, Brother Bernard Van Waes.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara S. Hamlin Van Waes; three children by his first wife, Willow Femmechild of Portland, Rebecca Redwing Wilderbrook of Fryeburg, and Dr. Carter Van Waes and wife Anne of Brookville, Md.; six grandchildren; step-sons, Jeffery Dover and wife Susan of Scottsdale, Ariz., Kent Dover and wife Joanne of Sanbornton, N.H., and Mark Dover and wife Paloma of Prairie Village, Kan.; seven step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.
Informal celebration of life 2 p.m., Sat., Sept. 11 in the Willing Workers Hall on Rt. 130 in New Harbor. Friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory may be made, if desired, to Friends of Colonial Pemaquid, P.O. Box 304, New Harbor, ME 04554.