Robert C. Wanbaugh

BLUE HILL and PRESQUE ISLE – Robert C. Wanbaugh, 70, died Dec. 20, 2006, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Ellsworth. He was born Feb. 20, 1936, in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of Robert C. Sr. and Ann Korkus Wanbaugh.
Robert graduated from Gladwin High School, Gladwin, Michigan, in 1954, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for ten years as an Air Rescue Medic. His tour of duty included Presque Isle AFB, Presque Isle; Suffolk County AFB, L.I., N.Y.; OSAN AB, Korea and Dow AFB, Bangor. Returning to civilian life, Robert attended Aroostook State College and later joined the Presque Isle Police Depart., where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He participated in many police training schools, including the Command Training Institute at Babson Institute, Wellsley, Massachusetts and the F.B.I. Administration School at the Police Headquarters, Boston. In 1970 he accepted the position of Purchasing Agent/Personnel Director of Presque Isle and later, that of Acting Executive Director of the Presque Isle Urban Renewal Authority. After leaving city employment, Bob went with the University of Maine System as Director of Safety and Security at the University of Maine, Presque Isle. He later attended the University, graduating in 1988 with a B.F.A. degree. As a senior, he received the Joel Dana Senior Art Scholarship Award, and in 1986 he received the Photography Award of Excellence from the Photographers Forum of Santa Barbara, California. Prior to his retirement, he was affiliated for many years with the Housing Services and later the Head Start Program of A.C.A.P., the Aroostook County Action Program in Presque Isle. Always a great lover of nature, Bob built a camp on Squapan Lake in 1970, where for thirty four years he enjoyed boating, hunting and fishing. Combining his love of nature with that of art, he took waterfowl decoy carving lessons from Christopher Murray, an internationally known professional decoy carver, formerly of Castine, Maine. Robert’s decoys have taken many blue ribbons in state competitions. He was equally adept at portraying nature on canvas, and while in Presque Isle, received commissions to paint wildlife scenes for both businesses and individuals. Robert was a 35-year member of the Squapan Outing Club and served as a past Director and Treasurer; a 36-year member of Trinity Masonic Lodge No. 130 A.F.&A.M. of Presque Isle; a York Bodies Shriner with the Anah Temple in Bangor; a member of the Hancock County Shrine Club; and the Duffy/Wescott American Lodge Post No. 85 of Blue Hill.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Dr. Rebecca Bowden Wanbaugh of Blue Hill; and cousins in Michigan, California and Florida. Bob was predeceased by his daughter, Susan Wanbaugh, in 2004; and his sister, Jacqueline Wanbaugh, in 2001.
At his request there will be no calling hours. A graveside service was held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2006 at Seaside Cemetery in Blue Hill, with Father Scott Mower officiating. Gifts in Robert’s memory may be made to Peninsula Ambulance, P.O. Box 500, Blue Hill, Maine 04614. Arrangements are by Jordan-Fernald, 141 South Street, Blue Hill, Maine. www.jordanfernald.com.