BRUNSWICK — Robert George Ford, 89, died Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick. Bob was born April 18, 1923 in Zanesville, Ohio, son of the late George Dewey Ford and Sue Bonnet Reed. He served three years in the Army Air Force and was stationed in the Pacific at the end of World War II. He attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1948 with a BSE degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He went to work for Bethlehem Steel at the Quincy shipyard in Massachusetts and met Doris Leona Moore at the Old Colony Ski Club. They married on October 6, 1951 and raised their family in Hingham. In 1973 Bob went to work for BIW and they moved to Bath. He walked to and from “the Yard” each day for many years. He retired in 1988. The Annual 4th of July Breakfast at their home on Whiskeag Road was local legend.

Bob was a caring and capable man of few words. He thoroughly enjoyed his two granddaughters and proudly supported all their activities and events. He wasn’t crazy about traveling, but he loved the outdoors, especially his cottage on the New Meadows River. He could do or fix just about anything. He renovated several homes, built a press and made cider with his own apples each fall, crafted a rocking boat for his first grandchild. He was a season ticket holder to the Portland Symphony for many years and listened to the opera on Saturday afternoons for as long as anyone can remember. He did not like jazz. He appreciated a good scotch, but usually drank a blend.

Most of all though, Bob was about boats. He was a member of the sailing club in college and won several trophies racing the Baba Yaga, a Lightening he built in high school shop class. Over the years he designed and built sailboats, row boats, canoes and kayaks. He used and maintained “the fleet” year after year. In the winter months, he created dozens of models of his boats and those of friends and family. In later life he was severely limited by Parkinsons Disease. When he could no longer sail, he rowed and when he could no longer row, he read and spoke and thought about boats.

Since 2009, he made his home at Hill House Assisted Living Center, where he was comfortable and cared for with respect and compassion. He enjoyed choosing his “three squares” a day from the menu, right up to the end.

He is survived by his son James, his wife Marybeth and granddaughters Sydney and Gillian Ford of Brunswick and a brother Herman Ford of Oregon and Arizona and his family. He was pre-deceased by a son George in 1989 and his wife Dorry in 2009.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hill House, CHANS Hospice and the physicians of Mid Coast Medical Group Bath for their support and the excellent care Bob received over the years.

A gathering to remember Bob will take place on Saturday October 13, 2012 at Mae’s Cafe, 160 Centre Street, Bath from 9:30-11 AM. All are welcome.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution in his memory might consider MYSO (Maine Youth Sports Opportunities) P.O.Box 248 Phippsburg, ME 04562.

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