Dwight Robbins, 52, of Waldoboro, passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 5 surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born in Rockland on Feb. 17, 1962, the son of the late Donald and Ruth (Campbell) Nickels.
Dwight grew up in both Thomaston and Rockland and attended local schools throughout the area. During his senior year of high school Dwight joined the U.S. Army and served in Munich, Germany.
Upon leaving the service, Dwight traveled the country to see all that he could see, reaching almost every one of the 50 states before he returned home where he would work as a finish carpenter. He married the love of his life Debbie on April 16, 1988 in the middle of snowstorm. Shortly after the two were married, Dwight went out to New Bedford, Mass. where he would work on a scallop boat before returning to the midcoast and to his love of carpentry.
Dwight loved to drive fast. If it had an engine, he wanted to see what it could do. Some say he was crazy behind the wheel, but it was a controlled crazy, always looking to push the limits.
Dwight enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing horseshoes. He was a champion horseshoe player, winning the title at the Rockland Elks Lodge a few times and he proudly wore his jacket around town. When he was on he was on and there wasn’t a player in the state that could dethrone him if his game was at its peak. Dwight was a proud member of the Elks Lodge in Rockland for many years. Dwight loved to bowl and could be found many nights at the alley with his friend Roger Carlson. Dwight also enjoyed playing softball in various men’s leagues.
Dwight was a prankster and was always up for a good joke or a laugh. He was always very thankful to his uncles Percy and Kenneth Campbell for helping him to become the man that he was. He was a handsome man with a devilish smile, in fact many people knew him by that unique grin.
One of his biggest accomplishments was being a father. He loved his kids and was always happy to spend time with them. Dwight was a person who, when he taught his kids, used the “Do as I say, and not as I do” method. When he became “Grumpa,” the kids always joked about dropping off all the little ones at once with no notice, even though this would drive him crazy; they knew that if it actually happened he would have loved it…even only just a little.
He was a true blue friend and would always have your back no matter if you were right or wrong; he never backed down and always stood his ground no matter what the consequences may be.
Dwight belonged to a special brotherhood that cared for him and his family for many years. The reach of the brotherhood spanned from Southwest Harbor to New Bedford, Mass., and all places in between. While he was away on fishing trips, it was these brothers that would keep an eye out on his family to make sure they were okay in his absence.
If Dwight could tell you all one thing, if he could leave a legacy, it would be that no one would pick up a cigarette. It was a cigarette that led to his unfortunate passing. After becoming sick, he was an advocate to try and tell everyone that a cigarette is not worth a life. A cigarette didn’t make him as cool as he thought it would. So please for Dwight if you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke don’t start, it is not worth it.
He was predeceased by his grandmother, Olive Gamage; brothers, George Campbell, and Kenny Robbins; niece, Lindsey May Campbell; stepmother, Barbara Nickels; and beloved dog, Shamrock.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Debbie Fowler-Robbins of Waldoboro; children, Nick Winchenbach and companion Nicole Darling of Union, Jossilyn Robbins of Rockland, Dacota Robbins of Waldoboro, and Kenneth Robbins of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Sahmara Robbins of Rockland, Nathan Stevens of Rockland, Johnathon Winchenbach of Union, Zachary Winchenbach of Union, and Leanna Mae Winchenbach of Union; and siblings, Chuck Nickels and wife Patti, Helen Rogers and husband Mike, and Donald Nickels and wife Chrissy.
A family celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Sun., Aug. 17 at Dwight’s home in Waldoboro for all of his family and friends.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.
