Robert Elvin Swett, 83, passed away peacefully on Sept. 12 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta, after a long illness.
Born in Waterville on Sept. 20, 1922, he was the son of Warren and Sarah Swett.
At the age of six, he moved with his parents to Everett, Mass. and was educated in its public schools. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1942, with a degree in architectural construction.
He served in WWII as a naval aviator, instructing carrier pilots in instrument recovery during combat.
He married Marjorie Hansen of Redmond, Wash., in June of 1945.
After his discharge from the service, he was employed by Westinghouse Elevator Company, where he designed electric stairways and freight elevators in the old John Hancock building in Boston.
In 1948, he and his wife moved to Mount Vernon, Wash., where he opened a business in architectural drafting. He won an award in house design from a professional architectural magazine.
The family moved to Cumberland in 1953, where he established a building and contracting business, which he owned until his retirement. He retired to his beloved family property on Muscongus Sound in Round Pond in 1990, where he spent many happy years building the family home.
He was a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Portland for many years and served as an elder, and was a member of the National Board of Foreign Missions. Through the denomination, he volunteered for a year building a medical clinic in the African bush of Kenya. He formed deep friendships with the Akamba tribe, from which he hired his crew of 65. The chief offered him 10 acres of land if he would come and settle down beside him.
In retirement, he was a member of the Damariscotta Baptist Church where he served a term as treasurer.
Mr. Swett was an adventurous soul. After winding down his business, he backpacked from Alexandria, Egypt to Dyfed, Wales. This was during the time when the Middle East was not a dangerous place. He relished hovering around a campfire with Syrian soldiers, each eager to learn about the other. The family had a keen interest in early civilizations and visited many countries to learn about their early people.
He was a member and past president of the Portland Marine Society.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Round Pond, and a son and grandson of North Billerica, Mass.
He will be laid to rest with full military honors, privately.
Public memorial service 11 a.m., Sat., Sept. 23 at the Damariscotta Baptist Church. There will be no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glory Christian Academy International of Kenya, c/o Doris Donahue, Treasurer, PO Box 1944, Gloucester, MA 01930; or the American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Thompson, ME 04080.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.