BANGOR – Robert “Bob” Merle Schipper, 94, of Bangor, formerly of Stratton, passed on April 7, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bangor.
He was born on May 2, 1921 in Detroit, Mich., to John Edward and Marie (Bronsveld) Schipper. Bob attended Pleasantville High School and went on to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and U.S. Naval Flight School. Bob served as a pilot during WWII delivering cargo and troops over enemy lines.
He went on to work at several airlines including SeaBoard World, Flying Tigers and FedEx. Bob was a co-owner of Kibby Kamp in Eustis for more than 40 years, during which time he met his wife Sandra.
Bob was an avid hunter and fly fisherman, he enjoyed painting with watercolors and reading westerns and biographies. Bob was a lifetime member of the Camp Fire Club of America where he earned a Medal of Valor Award for lifesaving, one of only four awarded in the 119-year history of the Club.
Bob is survived by his wife Sandra (Black) Schipper and two stepsons, Robert and wife, Heather Belanger of Brunswick, and John and wife, Diana Bean of Dedham, and three grandchildren, Jacob and Abigail Belanger and Jonah Bean. Bob is also survived by many nieces and nephews across the country and many special friends including Blaine and Bonnie Holding and David and Cherlyn Simpson and Claude and Donna Pepin.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Edward Schipper and Paul Schipper and two sisters Audry Balchen and Marie Fluegel.
Special thanks to the Maine Veterans’ Home of Bangor and St. Joseph Hospital for their support.
A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, April 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. from the St. John’s Catholic Church, Eustis. Committal services will follow at the Upper Cemetery, Eustis, with full military honors provided by Camp Keyes, Augusta. Following services, all are welcome to attend a comfort reception at the Community Building. Remembrance gifts may be given to the Dedham Elementary School Music Program, 2065 Main Road, Dedham, ME 04429 attn: K. Lawson.
Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com, where his video tribute may also be viewed. Cremation care services provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center: Cremation Service and Funeral Home, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington.
Rest in peace Bob, you were one great man with many accomplishments!
Rest well Bob, my condolences to the family.
Rest in peace Bob, my condolences to Sandy and family. I loved listening to Bob’s many stories and always marveled at his incredible memory.