Robert Steward Shapleigh

SHAPLEIGH, Robert Steward, 85, Dover-Foxcroft, May 11, 2014. There will be a “Celebration of Life” at the Bear’s Den in Dover Foxcroft on Saturday, May 17, from 3-5 p.m.

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Robert Steward Shapleigh, “Renaissance Man” as he was lovingly called, peacefully passed away on May 11, 2014, at Hibbard’s Nursing home in Dover-Foxcroft after a long illness. Bob was born in Manchester, NH, May 17, 1928. He moved with his family from Connecticut to Dover-Foxcroft, ME, in 1962.
    He was a multi-talented, one of a kind, gentle person. He was a veteran, serving in the Army Military Police in Panama. One of his specialties was the restoration and repair of metal antiques. He did work for the Smithsonian, Maine State Museum, Owls Head Museum, the Mystic Maritime Museum in Connecticut, and the Whistles-in-the-Woods run by Johnny Cash’s banjo player Bob Johnson. Bob was a steam engine expert. He built 11 boats, 3 of which were used on Sebec Lake. This included the Rippling Wave Steamboat built in the record time of 10 months, and launched in 1976 for the Centennial celebration.
    Bob was also an inventor, including having invented and patented one of the first portable chainsaw sawmills. There wasn’t a problem he couldn’t solve. He helped to keep the Town Road Dept. machinery running smoothly. If a part to a machine couldn’t be purchased, he would make the part and the machine would run beautifully. He loved people and spent 10 years running various support groups in the area. And he was also a horse whisperer. He raised and trained his beloved Arab, Sahib.
    In addition to all of the above, he loved to travel from this country to Panama to Norway. On top of all his accomplishments, Bob had an uncanny sense of humor… he would always make you laugh.
    He is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Sandy and her husband, David; son, Steven and his wife, Melissa; his brother, Richard and family; and many, many friends. Bob – may your spirit be filled with light and love, you will truly be missed.
    There will be a “Celebration of Life” at the Bear’s Den in Dover Foxcroft on Saturday, May 17, from 3-5 p.m. Please come and share a memory or funny story.