Robert W. Keddie, aka “Budweiser Bob,” 83, of Bristol, formerly of Malden, Mass., died peacefully at his home on June 23 after a period of declining health.
He was born in Boston on March 3, 1929. As a toddler he was adopted by A. Wallace and Anne Hall Keddie. He attended Malden Public Schools and Essex County Agriculture School in Danvers, Mass.
In early WWII he was sent to Canada (42-43) as a farm laborer on the family farm while his cousins were fighting in the war. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in WWII, stationed at various duty stations in the Pacific. After his second stint in the Corps, he returned to Essex Aggie and graduated, majoring in Dairy Plant Management. He was once again activated in 1949 and sent to the Korean War. His final discharge was in 1953.
During this time Bob was first introduced to the beauty of Maine. He visited his fiancée and her family while they were vacationing at Moxie Cove Camps.
He was employed at various jobs including Mack Sign Co. and Pitney Bowes. In 1965 he joined the Malden Fire Department, in keeping with family tradition. His father and uncle were firefighters as is his son Scott and grandson Rob. He officially retired in May 1993 due to medical reasons, just two years shy of 30 years of service.
He moved to Maine permanently in 1995, buying a home in Bristol to be nearer to family. Bob loved Maine “the way life should be.” He loved to putter in his garden, “fluff” his chickens, loved his friends and loved happy hour at the Samoset Restaurant. He had a wealth of information to share… all you had to do was ask.
Bob was a charter member of the Samoset Fish & Game Club, life member of the Danvers Fish and Game Club, NRA, Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and American Legion. He was a member of the Converse Masonic Lodge and the Maplewood Tavern drinking team.
Just last year he learned his biological parents had divorced and he had two younger half sisters – one with his mother and one with his father. He had the pleasure of meeting them both, a year ago this month.
He was predeceased by his parents; stepmother, Freda Keddie; stepbrother, Leonard Marash; and his loving companion of 11 years, Lorraine Simpson.
He is survived by his daughter, Gail K. Hanna and husband David of New Harbor; son, Scott A. Keddie and wife Marie of Tewksbury, Mass.; grandsons, Derek S. Hanna and wife Jenna of Damariscotta, Casey A. Hanna and companion Katie Eugley of New Harbor, and Robert P. Keddie of Tewksbury, Mass.; granddaughter, Kristina M. Keddie of Tewksbury, Mass.; great-grandchildren, Bella, Landon and Natalie Hanna; sisters, Charlene Wezesa and husband Don of Salisbury, Mass. and Karen DeHetre and family of Malden, Mass.; many dear friends; and his former wife, Dotsy Hallstrom.
Friends are welcome to join the family on a memorial cruise aboard the Hardy Boat which is being planned for sometime in September, at which time his ashes will be put to sea. Details will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bristol Fire Department, 104 S Side Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554; Lincoln County Animal Shelter, PO Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556; or the charity of one’s choice.
