CARIBOU, Maine – Robert ‘Leo’ Kieffer, 86, passed away August 12, 2017, in Bangor surrounded by his family. He was born September 11, 1930 in Mauston, Wisconsin, the son of the late Robert John and Catherine (Fitzpatrick) Kieffer.
Leo grew up on a family farm in central Wisconsin, and attended Mauston High School where he was active in many school sports and activities. Leo completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration & Accounting at Wisconsin State College, and went to graduate school at Madison Business College in Madison, WI. After a tour of duty with the US Army, Leo married Mary Patricia “Pat” Hoye in 1956, joined USF&G insurance company, and the two ventured to Maine.
Shortly after moving to Maine, Leo purchased the M.D. McGrath Insurance Agency in Caribou and later merged it with the McGrath-Frost Agency. He then opened a new agency with sons, Rob and Scott, known as Kieffer Insurance. In 1964, Leo and Lionel Plourde began “Kieffer & Plourde Ski Doo” as the Bombardier dealer in Caribou.
Over the years, Leo and Pat raised seven children – two sons and five daughters, and today have fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. During his lifetime, Leo took his citizenship seriously and was involved in many civic and business organizations including: US Army Veteran of the Korean War, Past President and Paul Harris Fellow Caribou Rotary Club, Past President Caribou Urban Renewal Authority, Past President Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine, Past President Aroostook County Association of Independent Insurance Agents, Past Director Independent Insurance Agents of Maine, Past Director and 15-year Greens Committee Chair Caribou Country Club, Past Director Caribou Chamber of Commerce, Past Director Caribou Development Corporation, Past Director and Seventeen Year Executive Committee Member Aroostook Trust Bank, Maine National Bank Advisor, and 1995 Caribou Citizen of the Year.
Mr. Kieffer was involved in community and state government for many years, first serving as a Caribou City Councilor for six years during which he was Deputy Mayor for two years, and Mayor for two years. Mr. Kieffer then served in the Maine Legislature as a Senator representing District 2 during the 116th, 117th, 118th, and 119th Legislative Sessions, holding the Majority Leader position during the 117th and Assistant Leader position during the 118th session. During his time in Legislature, Leo served on the: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee; Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee; Banking and Insurance Committee; Snowmobile Safety Task Force; Fish Hatchery Study Commission; Big Game Management Task Force; Gas Tax Study Commission; and others.
Taking great interest in Maine’s outdoors, Leo was a Master Maine Guide, with a private pilot sea plane rating. He served on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council for five years, and was a past chairman. Leo was a member of: the National Rifle Association; Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine; Presque Isle Fish & Game Club; Sportsmen Inc.; Maine Trappers Association; Maine Snowmobile Association; Ducks Unlimited; Atlantic Salmon Association; Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine; Advisory Board of the Forestland group; Aroostook River Advisory Group; and the Aroostook County Conservation Association. In 2017, Leo was inducted to the Maine Snowmobile Hall of Fame. Leo was very passionate about preserving Maine’s outdoor recreational activities for present and future generations.
He is survived by six children, Catherine and husband Robert French of Caribou, Robert and wife Lehrle Kieffer of Woodland, Colleen Leon of Charlotte, NC, Scott Kieffer of Topsham, Elizabeth and husband Tim Harms of Navarre, FL, Keri and husband David Hentosh of Bridgewater, his grandchildren, Alison, Lydia, Ginger, Katie, Elise, Jacob, Rebecca, Amanda, Kelsey, Sarah, Hannah, Laura, Chase, Jack, and Luke, three great-grandchildren, Eloise, Olivia, and Ford, a son-in-law, Rick Taylor of Portland, a sister, Kathleen Chovanec of Milwaukee, WI, as well as several nieces and nephews. Mr. Kieffer was predeceased by his wife, Mary “Pat” Kieffer, a daughter, Maureen Taylor, two sisters, and two brothers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. from the Parish of the Precious Blood, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Caribou. Interment will be in the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Kieffer may do so through the Caribou School Department Scholarship Fund, Attn: Rob Kieffer, 101 High Street, Caribou, ME, 04736. Following the service all are invited to continue to celebrate Leo’s life at the home of Rob and Lehrle Kieffer, 571 Margison Road, Woodland. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
