Spencer A. Schilling Sr., 94, a longtime resident of New Harbor, died peacefully at Horizons Living and Rehab Center in Brunswick on April 19, one day shy of his 95th birthday. Spencer is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth (née Halvorsen); children, David (Cathy) of Columbus, Ohio, Mark (Tara) of Rancho Palos Verdes, Cal., and Spencer Jr. (Elaine) of Moraga, Cal., and five grandchildren.
Spencer was born on April 20, 1922 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the only child of August and Irene Schilling. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in February 1944 with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He immediately began serving in the Navy as an ensign assigned to LSM-142 in Norfolk, Va. where the ship and its crew began their journey through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Theater and on to China at the end of the war. He was discharged in 1946 and began working for American Smelting and Refining Co.
He and Ruth were married in 1950 and moved to New Jersey before settling in Ambler, Penn. with their first son, David. In 1958 he earned an MBA from Drexel University and in 1966 he moved the family to Columbus, Ohio to begin work at Battelle Memorial Institute where he spent the remainder of his career until retiring in 1984. He and Ruth traveled extensively throughout Europe and Egypt before and after retirement.
After his retirement, he and Ruth settled in New Harbor. They had many adventures traveling in their camper throughout the country to California and Florida. They even made it to Alaska with their Golden Retriever, Jake. He also had a boat and spent many days fishing and taking day trips along the Maine coast with Ruth.
Spencer loved singing and often sang in the church choir and with Vaud Villities, an amateur music and dance group in Columbus (but surprisingly did not sing in the shower). He also enjoyed golf and bird carving, producing award winning creations of local Maine birds. He had a good sense of humor, which he kept through good times and bad.
Spencer chose to donate his body to a local university (he liked to tell everyone he was finally going to med school!) so while there will be no funeral, a memorial service will be held at the chapel at 2 p.m., Sat., June 3 at Coastal Landing in Brunswick. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Spencer’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests individual reflection on Spencer’s ultimate donation and consider a personal commitment to blood and organ donation to extend the life of others.
Condolences can be sent to Ruth Schilling, c/o Coastal Landing, 142 Neptune Dr., Brunswick, ME 04011.