Robert B. Stevens, Sr. (1925-2014)

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FARMINGTON – Robert “Bob” B. Stevens, Sr., 88, of Farmington, passed peacefully at Franklin Memorial Hospital on March 21, 2014.

Robert B. Stevens, Sr.
Robert B. Stevens, Sr.

Bob was the middle child of Harold F. and Dorothy M. Stevens, born on Aug. 7, 1925, in Farmington. He was a 1943 graduate of Farmington High School. He was a World War II veteran. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 where he served until 1946. Upon returning home to Farmington and completing his military service, he was employed at Central Maine Consolidated Power.

In the fall of 1948 he enrolled in Farmington State Teachers College, and on Oct. 16 of that same year, he married Jeanette Thompson in West Farmington. Together they attended college in Farmington for two years before transferring to Boston University where he graduated in 1951. Following his graduation, Jan and Bob made their home in Bridgton, Maine, where he taught at Bridgton High School for six years; while there he coached almost every sport prior to returning to Farmington to teach at Farmington High School in 1957.

He taught and coached in Farmington until his retirement from Mt. Blue High School in 1988. He was the school’s first athletic director and served in that capacity from 1968-1982. Following his retirement from teaching he worked for 10 years on the security staff of Franklin Memorial Hospital and later as a hospital volunteer.

In the late 1970s Bob and Jan built the home of their dreams in Temple on Day Mountain where they resided until returning to Farmington in 2007. While in Temple, Bob served several years as a selectman for the town of Temple.

Throughout his life he had a passion for sports, especially basketball. He was a member of the 1941 Farmington High School State Championship Team, and while at Farmington State Teachers College he was a member of the 1948 championship team. Bob was the first president of the Maine Secondary School Principals’ Athletic Directors (MPA).

He was a member of the Roderick Crosby Legion Post 28 in Farmington for 46 years. During that time he served as the post commander in 1974, the only commander of that post whose father, Harold, had served as a previous commander in 1937. He served as chaplin for the post for 25 years.

He was an avid fly fisherman in his younger years and loved being outdoors especially in the woods of Temple. Bob was a proud member of the West Farmington Fireman’s Association.

Bob leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Jan; his six children: Carole Anne Whipp of Wilmington, N.C.; Brenda Stevens and her husband Dallas Landry of New Portland; Katie Hallman and her husband Bob of West Farmington; Robert Stevens, Jr. and his wife Cindy of Farmington; Lisa Judkins and her husband Peter of Farmington; and David Stevens and his wife Dorinda of Temple. There are 15 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was predeceased by his great granddaughter, Abigail Rose Brackett.

The family wished to give a special thanks to the wonderful staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital and Beacon Hospice for all their care and support.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, March 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Services at 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine. Funeral services will be held at the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church in Farmington at 4:30 p.m., Monday, March 24, followed by a reception at the American Legion Post 28. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roderick-Crosby American Legion Post 28, PO Box 643, Farmington, ME 04938.

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32 Comments

  1. Condolences to the Family as many of us who loved Bob join you in celebrating his Life. I have many fond memories of my Friend and Mentor from playing for his FHS basketball teams with the Class of ’63, visits to our Sap House in Temple, chats about everything from Boston sports teams to Little League and much more.

    His Family was his Treasure and Passion, his Friends and Community was also his Pride and Joy.

    Franlkin County and beyond is a Better Place for Bob’s Life, a True Icon has gone to his Resting Place, but the Memories and his Deeds will remain.

  2. A mightier hug I have never known, aside from my dad’s. Bob was instrumental in helping me thru the death of both my folks. He will be very much missed. I wish I could attend but circumstances prohibit this right now. My love and prayers to you Jan and to your clan.

  3. To the Stevens family, I am truly saddened today for the loss of one that provided so many the truth and guidance that was so needed in our youth. We are all better citizens because of Bob Stevens.

  4. Jan and family – very sorry to hear about your loss. You have my condolences. I enjoyed visiting with Bob at the office. May he rest in peace.

  5. So very difficult to lose a parent, regardless of age. Always enjoyed “Mr Stevens”, both as a teacher, while I was a student, and later as an adult, beyond my school years. He had a smile and a friendly word, every time we met. Such a nice man. My condolences to all the family…….

  6. My heart is broken this morning. I have no words to express my sorrow at the loss of such a wonderful man. He touched many lives on his journey, and he made a difference in the world. My deepest condolences to Jan and the kids. He will truly be missed.

  7. I was so sorry to read of Mr. Stevens’ death. He was a favorite teacher of mine at FHS many years ago and a real presence in the community. Please know that I am thinking of you all and wishing you peace.

  8. Dear David, Lisa and family,
    So sorry to hear of your loss. I’m thinking of you all and send my support. Your dad was a true Farmington leader and a great teacher. He will be missed.

  9. What a great guy. Knew him and Jan since I was a child playing with Katie at their home on Lake Ave. He will be missed. Condolences to the entire family.

  10. Condolences to the entire family. Bob did so much for the school and for the Town of Farmington. He will be greatly missed.

  11. My sincere condolences to the Bob Stevens family. Bob was my coach during my years at FHS. He was my friend and mentor my whole life. He gave me guidance when I asked for it and always when I needed it. My return home to Farmington will not be the same without my visits with Bob. What a guy!
    My wife Joyce and I will say a special prayer this evening for Bob and his family.

    Tom Barrows

  12. So sorry to hear about his passing. I enjoyed reading about his life. As a teacher, he made history come alive. My condolences to Katie and the rest of your family. May your memories comfort you.

  13. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to know him as a student, and later on as I covered the Temple selectmen for the Lewiston Sun-Journal. He was always friendly, supportive, and down-to-Earth, and I am a better person for having known him. Thank you, Bob Stevens. You were one of a kind.

  14. Very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Stevens. May you find comfort in the memories shared.

  15. As a basketball coach, he brought a love of the game to so many. As a friend, his kind words of encouragement stayed in our hearts.
    My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends.

  16. So sorry to hear the news of Bob’s passing. He was my favorite teacher/mentor my senior year. My condolences to all the family. Bob will be missed by many people, both the students he taught and the communitiy members he worked with.

  17. Our most sincere condolences to Jan and the Stevens Family. Like so many, our lives were touched by Bob as a teacher and coach at FHS. We were most fortunate to have a day to day interaction with Bob at the Store during his Temple years. Thank you Bob for your many years of service as Selectman and all that you brought to our Town.

    Bill & Barbara Hodgkins

  18. Ever since I started Farmington HS in 1958, Bob Stevens has been one of my favorite teachers and persons. For a time, he and his family lived up the street on Lake Ave from my family. We shared a passion for sports (Boston teams) and history and government starting with Civics class. In fact, he was one of the most important inspirations that led me to be a History and Government major at the University of Maine in Orono. Every summer, when I returned home to Maine, I would run into Bob somewhere – on the street, in a grocery store or maybe one of our class of 1962 reunions. He would always take the time to stop and chat. He was a special man and will be missed by a great many people.
    My condolences to Jan and the entire Stevens family. RIP Bob.
    John Pratt

  19. Bob was a good role model for us in high school. I remember once when i was picking Katie up for a date at the winter carnival and driving my family’s new-used Pontiac Bonneville. I cut the corner and got stuck and had to ask my history teacher and date’s father to push me out. He did so cheerfully.

  20. Our sincere condolences go out to Jan and Family, he was a great teacher, coach, and person and let us not forget a great veteran also, May God Bless.
    Lonny & Starr Jones

  21. Jan and all the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He will be truly missed by all. Ann & Alden

  22. From the Callahan family to the Stevens family our sincere condolences. A great void in the community for all that had any interaction over the years.Our Prayers are with the family. Peg Callahan

  23. Mr. Stevens was one of my favorite teachers in high school. He had such a passion for teaching and I have such fond memories of him. My deepest condolences to the family.

  24. We have lost a great man..Love and prayers for comfort to all.of his family and friends.. I hope he is enjoying his journey , onward..

  25. Dearest Cousin Jan and Dearest Children of Bob’s and Jan’s . Wonderful memories of this nice,
    and caring man have filled my mind since I heard of his passing, Wish I could have been there
    to see you all, as you have been for me. Love and Sympathy to you all. Love, Emily

  26. Haven’t been checking the Bulldog much lately, and was saddened to see this. I enjoyed taking both Civics and PAD from him, and wish I had been good enough to play basketball for him. But he had a full and productive life.

  27. I wonder if Mr. Stevens ever realized how deeply loved and admired he was. When I moved to Maine, as a high school sophomore, Mr. Stevens IMMEDIATEly stood out to me as an incredibly special coach and educator
    he was. I truly felt lost, though maybe didn’t show it. Bob Stevens saw right through me–would often stop me
    and say, “Faith, you worry too much”. He truly cared about everyone and we are so lucky he gave his heart
    totally to us students who were honored to have known him

  28. I, with 20-something others, was in his classroom at FHS when the official announcement was made that Pres. Kennedy had died on Nov. 22, 1963. He guided us thru that moment with kindness, calm, and understanding that must have been a serious personal challenge as I look back.

    Bob Stevens, with his gentleness, his ability to ‘get’ kids, and his kick-your-butt-when-you-needed-it reality helped some of us through some meaningful ‘growing-up moments’ as they happened in the early-mid 60’s’! (And he was always so happy to run into us as we grew and aged!)

    Casting no aspersions, we had some really, really great teachers at FHS who stretched and pushed us academically. Having said that, I am not sure there are many teachers at our beloved FHS that kicked our butts quite as hard into The Real World as did Bob Stevens. Have ‘loved’ him as a teacher/mentor/friend for 50 years++.

    Bob’s family should be very, very proud of their husband, dad, grandpa!!

    Rest in Peace, you good man!!

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