ROBERT D. ‘BOB’ ELLIS, HOULTON – Dr. Robert D. ‘Bob’ Ellis passed away peacefully on July 13, 2017 after a long illness. He was surrounded by family, friends and a caring and conscientious Houlton Regional Hospital staff. “Everybody loved Bob” was the predominant feeling expressed by all as he left behind a lifetime of adventures shared by many. His life was filled with optimism, humor, story-telling and genuine kindness toward others.
Bob was born June 8, 1943, the son of Donald Ellis and Ruth Merritt Ellis and on that day, he was taken to their camp on East Grand Lake in Orient, a place that became his lifelong sanctuary.
Bob savored every moment and embraced all life had to offer, from skiing to sailing, brook fishing to piloting a pontoon plane. He found great joy in photographing nature in his beloved Maine woods and beyond, even going as far as the Arctic where he learned to photograph the northern lights at minus sixty degrees.
After graduating from Houlton High School in 1961, Bob attended the University of Maine where he earned his undergraduate degree. He received his Doctor of Optometry from Ohio State University in 1970. While at Ohio State he spent two summers with the Institute of Polar Studies in Alaska. This experience qualified him for a Polar Studies adventure on a volcanic island off the coast of Antarctica, where he worked as a surveyor and photographed penguins in their natural habitat.
He practiced optometry for two years as a captain in the US Army Medical Field Service. In 1973, he joined his father’s optometry practice in Houlton, and in 2015, he joined Vision Care of Maine. Bob was an active member of the Maine Optometric Association (MOA). In the 1970’s he served on the Board of this organization, and he was the President of that association for one year. He also received the MOA Optometrist-of-the-Year Award.
Bob was active in the Houlton community, serving several years as an Advisory Board member of the Salvation Army and for twelve years as a Trustee of the Health Services Foundation of Houlton Regional Hospital. He was a member of the Houlton Rotary Club and played trumpet in McGill’s Community Band for over 25 years. Bob was a charter and life member and director and served as President of the boundary-lakes association, the Chiputneticook Lakes International Conservancy (CLIC). In recent years, he enjoyed his activities with the Northern Maine Woodturners (assoc).
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Pannell Ellis; a daughter, Hilary Ellis of Hawaii; a son, Andrew Ellis of Hawaii, a granddaughter Kierra; his sister, Linda Bennett of San Diego, CA, several cousins, a nephew and many special friends.
Many of his family and friends attended a Celebration of his Life at the First Settlers Lodge in Weston, ME, last Saturday. There will be an announcement of a graveside service later in the year. Donations in Bob’s name may be made to your favorite charity or to “CLIC” c/o B. Walton, Treas., 28 Snowberry Lane, Orient, ME 04471-4320.
