Robert H. Weatherill ’48 died on August 6, 2025, in Hanover, New Hampshire.
(The following was provided by Valley News in August 14, 2025:)
Hanover, NH – Robert Hall Weatherill, 98, formerly of Cape Elizabeth and Orr’s Island, ME, died on August 6, 2025, in Hanover, NH. He was born to Philip and Elizabeth Hall Weatherill in Portland, ME.
A member of the Bowdoin College class of ’48 and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, his college years were interrupted by wartime service in the Army. Afterward he went on to achieve his architectural degree at the University of Michigan. He spent his entire career practicing architecture with the firm of Wadsworth and Boston in Portland, Maine, later becoming a senior partner and serving for a time as president of the Maine chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Although he spent the school year in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he and his family faithfully returned to Maine for the summer months, as it was the place they considered their true home. That time, spent at Orr’s Island, was filled with extended family and the activity he loved most — sailing.
Bob loved working with his hands and was very skilled at solving tactical problems efficiently. He created many pieces of finely crafted furniture, utilizing skills learned under the tutelage of Frank Bailey, a master woodworker from Portland who led a group affectionately known as the Cellar Rats. Always active outdoors, he spent many weekend hours on yard projects, building stone walls, or in the place he was happiest, on his boat. Not needing to be actively sailing, Bob was just as content to putter around on his mooring as he was cruising Casco Bay, Downeast Maine, or in the Caribbean.
He married India Horton in 1954, whom he met due to their younger brothers being roommates at Bowdoin. For fifty years they lived and raised their family in the Cape Elizabeth house Bob designed. They moved to Kendal at Hanover in 2008.
An active member of the Kendal community, Bob took advantage of many of the activities available. A devotee of classical music and opera, he joined a Bach chorale which was reminiscent of his days singing with the Meddiebempsters at Bowdoin. He delved deeply into family genealogy and uncovered detailed information about his Maine ancestors, tracing some of them back to the Revolutionary War. But the project to which he was most devoted was applying his extensive architectural knowledge and experience to advocate for the safety of his fellow residents at Kendal.
Robert is survived by his son, Charles H. Weatherill, and his wife, Mary, of Concord, NH; his daughter, Elizabeth W. Fram, and her husband, Daniel, of Waterbury Center, VT; four grandchildren: Caroline and Peter Weatherill, Lauren Fram, and Stuart Fram and his wife, Olivia Wasteneys.