OTISFIELD — Robert Ellis Stone passed away surrounded by his family on Dec. 21, at his childhood home in Otisfield.

Robert was born in Otisfield, April 30, 1941, the son of Ellis A. Stone and Estelle (Pottle) Stone. He was educated at Otisfield Elementary School, Casco High School and the University of Maine.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963, during the height of the cold war.

He completed basic training at the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Ill. He subsequently completed U.S Naval Submarine School in 1966 and served his country for 12 years.

Including a tour on the nuclear submarine the U.S. Halibut which was featured in the book “Blind Man’s Bluff.” Following honorable discharge from the Navy Dec. 19, 1975, Robert worked at Engel’s shipyard as a Health Physics technician.

In 1977, he began working for several companies, Numanco, Bartlett Nuclear and Advanced Recycling Center (ARC) that supply Radiation Protection Technicians for Nuclear Power Plants. His duties included Health Physics Instructor, General Employee Training and working as a Radiation Protection Technician. He also worked on a decommission site as a Health Physics Technician for several years.

Robert married Jessie Valle McKechnie of Gourock, Scotland while on tour with the Navy, April 27, 1973. After they married, Robert, Jessie and their daughter, Valerie moved to the United States settling in Casco and ultimately in Pennsylvania. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage.

Robert loved nature, enjoyed fishing, camping and exploring especially with his grandchildren. He and his wife were avid gardners and race horse enthusiasts.

He had hope to be able to make one more fishing trip to northern Maine with his sisters and their husbands. He will be with them in spirit this spring.

Robert’s family will miss his wry sense of humor and his wonderful story telling ability. He remembered every poem he ever learned and could declaim it completely. The wild tales of creeping about the depths of the ocean in a nuclear submarine off the western coast of the USSR were particularly entertaining.

Robert met his end with grace, dignity, bravery and humorm an example for all of us.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Valerie and husband, Matthew Schmidt; his son, Ellis Stone; his granddaughters, Kayla and Kathleen Schmidt; two great-grandchildren, Ezekiel and Alana Schmidt-Currica; two sisters, Elizabeth Watson and husband, David, of Casco and Caroline Zilinsky and husband, Joseph, of Otisfield; and his dear friends, Reeves and Charlotte Vest.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jessie.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

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