Robert “Bob” Elwood Knowles

UNITY / MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – Robert “Bob” Elwood Knowles passed peacefully at his home in Unity, Saturday Jan. 11, 2025.

Bob was born in Winslow on April 15, 1934, to Marian (Booker) and Guy Elwood “Ed” Knowles.

At a young age, Bob and his brother moved to Hartland to be raised by their grandparents. He attended Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield and was a proud MCI alum, graduating with the class of 1952. In 2022, Bob was inducted into the MCI Hall of Fame.

With the guidance of his mentor, Dr Paul Briggs, Bob attended Johns Hopkins School of X-Ray in Baltimore, Md. After completing his program at Johns Hopkins, he served in the U.S. Army. He then returned to Hartland where he operated the Blue Moon Roller Rink.

In 1960 he married Rae Jean, his wife of 60 years. That same year they took over the operation of Unity Raceway, thus began his first career, a 20-year endeavor promoting Unity Raceway, Spud Speedway and Speedway 95. Bob was inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2008 and in 2021, because of his efforts, the Knowles family was the first recipient of the Bob Morris Legacy award recognizing their contributions to motorsports in Maine.

In 1971 Bob founded Maine X-Ray which grew to serve the imaging needs of all the New England States. In 1981 he and Rae Jean along with two special brothers, Gary and Rich Donoghue, founded White Mountain Imaging which continues operations today.

Bob and Rae Jean purchased their first property in Southwest, Fla., in 1977 which began a life long love of Marco Island, Fla. They watched the island grow and change through the decades. In 1988 they became members of Hideaway Beach. After selling Maine X-Ray, Bob realized that retirement was not for him. This led to his last career which earned him the name “Bob the Builder.” His last spec house was completed in 2023 at the age of 89.

Bob served on the board of X-ray Marketing Associates (XMA) and on the board of Independent X-ray Dealers Association (IX-rda). In 1994, he was awarded the IX-rda E.G. Baldwin award in honor of his leadership, generous support and dedicated service to the X-ray industry.

He was also a founding director of Merrill Bank and served on the board of GAC Chemical Corporation in Searsport.

Bob was a member of the Star of the West Masonic Lodge #85 in Unity and a member of the Anah Temple for over 50 years, as well as a member of the Royal Order of Jesters CT #150 in Bangor.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Ginger (Charles) Russell of Naples, Fla.; granddaughter, Amy (Michael) Starbird of Unity; great-grandson, Randall Starbird of Grand Forks, N.D./Unity; sister, Therese Houston of Villa Park, Calif.; and several nieces, nephews; and cousins.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Rae Jean; parents, Marian and Ed Knowles; brother, Wayne Knowles, sister and brother-in-law, Jane and John Bickford, brother-in-law, Rogen Randlett, brother-in-law, Bernard Houston; son-in-law, Randall McPherson; and his best friend, James Langan.

Bob enjoyed meeting people and was happiest sharing stories and memories. He considered everyone a friend and cherished friendships old and new. He had a big, generous heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

A celebration of life will be held a date to be announced.

To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pittsfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

Maine Central Institute,

295 Main St.,

Pittsfield, ME 04967 or

Shrine Hospital for Children New England,

c/o Anah Shrine,

1404 Broadway,

Bangor, ME 04401