Robert Spofford Spear, 84, of Wiscasset, died Sept. 30. He was born in Portland on Nov. 3, 1925, a son of Leon Clifford and Kathleen (Fitzgerald) Spear.
He graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater as a radio operator in the 673 Field Artillery Battalion. After the war he attended the University of Maine, graduating in 1950 with a BS in Business. In 1952 he married Beverly Jordan of Cape Elizabeth. He was employed at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. as a draftsman for several years. In the mid-50s he return to Orono and obtained his teaching degree in secondary education and his Master’s degree in Education. His first teaching position was as a social studies teacher and driver education teacher at Corinna Union Academy in Corinna. His second position was teaching principal at the Stratton School. He later moved on as the principal of the Winterport schools, the old Norway High School and Wiscasset High School. He concluded his years as school principal at the Stevens School in Hallowell. After the closure of the Stevens School, he was employed for several years as a teacher-counselor at the Maine State Prison. After his retirement from the education field, he was employed as a rural mail carrier in Newcastle and later in West Bath for eight years.
Seldom content to sit home he was a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels route in Wiscasset. In retirement some of his greatest joys were working in his garden, his woodlot, his three children and grandchildren. For many years he was actively involved in the American Chestnut Society, the goal of which is restoring the American Chestnut to its former abundance in Maine and the Appalachian Mountain range.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverly J. Spear of Wiscasset; son, Stephen R. Spear and wife Patricia of Mount Airy, Md., and their sons, Robert and Thomas Spear; son, Nathan Spear and wife Lisa of Brunswick; and daughter, Rebecca Spear and husband Robert Funderburk of Bozeman, Mont. and their daughters, Jocelyn, Julia and Nina Funderburk.
Graveside service 2 p.m., Tues., Oct. 5 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Society, 231 Buck St., Banger, ME 04401.
Condolences may be made online at www.daiglefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 40 Federal St., Wiscasset.
