Lemuel H. (Bert) Howe, 82, of Boothbay, passed away at home on Nov. 12 (Veteran s Day) after several years of battling cancer.
Bert graduated from Dartmouth College in 1949 with a B.S. in physics. He was a successful sales engineer, respected math and science teacher, builder, farmer, woodsman, and naturalist.
In 1968, he launched a 13-year endeavor to build and operate a family campground for tenters and RVs, leaving the land in its natural state. In his fifties, Bert built a family log home on the Damariscotta River, farming and living much as the early settlers of Maine had; they inspired much of his writing, including a historical novel, Echo Horizon. At the age of 70, he completed construction of a second home in Pleasant Cove, Boothbay.
Countless Boothbay Peninsula residents enjoyed conversations with Bert while being safely transported to and from the Portland Jetport in his ground transportation business, Boothbay Stage Line.
Counted among his many pleasures were hiking in the White Mountains, sea kayaking, and carving stylized birds, for which he was well known. He especially loved family gatherings where he would be invited to entertain with his humorous anecdotes and stories.
Bert touched the lives of thousands of people from every walk of life, leaving them with something positive, even if just his big smile. He loved so much and is loved by so many. He will be sorely missed.
In addition to his wife of 54 years, Jean M. Howe, he is survived by sons, Benjamin Howe of Rye, N.H., James G. Howe and Heather Burr of Cumberland, and Brian M. Howe and wife Diane of Boothbay Harbor; daughter, Jocelyn Howe Martell and husband Michael of Tuftonboro, N.H.; grandchildren, Andrew Goupil of Dresden, Jamie Hildreth and fiancé Ron Cesar of Framingham, Mass., Christopher Apollonio of Dresden; Joshua M. Howe and Morgan Jean Howe of Boothbay Harbor, and Laura Jean Howe of Cumberland; great grandson, Nathaniel Dickson of Bath; and sister, Catherine P. Robbins of Hampstead, N.H.
Service and celebration of his life 11 a.m., Sat., Nov. 24 at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church, 1 Eastern Ave.
In lieu of flowers, please continue to treat the earth with deep respect and your fellow human beings with kindness.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.