Robert P. Mehlhorn ’51 died on December 28, 2015, in Brunswick, Maine.
(The following was published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28, 2015):
BRUNSWICK – Robert Patrick Mehlhorn, 89, of Mere Point, Brunswick passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. He was born in Brunswick on August 5, 1926, the son of Herbert and Helena (O’Brion) Mehlhorn.
As a boy, Robert spent many summer days at the cottage of his grandfather, William H. O’Brion, on Long Island, Maine. While a student at Brunswick High School, Robert lettered in cross country, swimming, baseball, and Spring track. He was a member of the class 1944. He played percussion in many bands from the age of nine through college. After high school, Robert served in the Army Air Force during WWII, being stationed in the Philippines for 18 months.
Returning from the war, Robert attended Bowdoin College, graduating with a degree in Physics, class of 1951. He spent summers working a variety of jobs, particularly enjoying working as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor teaching children from throughout the greater Brunswick area to swim. While a student at Bowdoin, Robert married Muriel T. Pouliot, of Bath. After graduating from Bowdoin, Robert and Muriel made their way to New Jersey, where he worked as an engineer for General Cable Corp. and started their family.
In 1958, Robert returned to Maine to purchase Troop’s Hardware in Bath, which he operated for 30 years. All seven of Robert’s children had the opportunity to work in the store and many locals have fond memories of buying their Converse All-Stars and gym bags from Troops.
Robert loved to swim and was a Certified Maine Swim Official for more than 40 years for all levels of swimming. He held the office of President for the Maine State Swimming Association for several years during that time, as well. Robert was a Lifetime member of the Elks Lodge #934. He was also an avid cribbage player and could always be found playing Tuesday afternoons at the Bath Area Senior Citizens Activity Center and Wednesday mornings at the People Plus Center in Brunswick.
After retirement, Robert and Muriel took to traveling. They drove across the country in a motorhome. While traveling, Robert enjoyed fishing in Labrador, Newfoundland, Alaska, Florida, and throughout the coast of Maine. They also visited Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia and ended up being snowbirds, traveling to Ft. Pierce, Fla. He enjoyed 25 winters in Florida with many new friends from all over the US and Canada.
Robert was predeceased by his wife, Muriel, of 62 years and sister Anne Pooler. He is survived by seven children, Gail Mehlhorn of Bath, Robert Patrick Mehlhorn and wife Heather of Bath, Gregory Mehlhorn and wife Maureen of East Waterboro, Paul Mehlhorn and wife Zan of North Berwick, Peter Mehlhorn and wife Jean of Nobleboro, Nancy Mehlhorn Percy and husband Robert of Dresden, and James Mehlhorn of Freeport; 18 grandchildren, Mason and Micah Loveitt, Elsie and Adelia Mehlhorn, Gregory, Patrick, Michael and Griffin Mehlhorn, Avery O’Brion Mehlhorn Powers and Keegan Mehlhorn, Samantha, Forrest, Alison, and Austin Mehlhorn, Robert III, Megan Daudelin and Corbin Percy, and Aubrey Mehlhorn Pennell; one great-grandchild, Natalie Percy; a brother Herbert Mehlhorn of Lexington, Mass., a sister Helena McCusker of Westerville, Ohio; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and special friend, Lois Fournier.