Robert “Bob” Whittemore Withee

SKOWHEGAN – The inimitable patriarch of our family, who always said he was “up to no good” and “number than a pounded thumb”, Robert “Bob” Whittemore Withee passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 2025.

From training his childhood lamb to bunt to his creative Christmas wrapping, his life was full of playful mischief and good-natured banter. He was a gifted storyteller, an avid coin collector, a talented woodworker, and had more tools, gadgets, salvaged golf balls, and tongue depressors in his garage than could ever be used in a lifetime.

Intensely fair, yet never one to forget a misdeed, he was the perfect “Girl Dad” – serving as Jan and Karen’s ultimate protector, confidant, and cheerleader. He cherished and nurtured them as women, taught them independence and confidence, and encouraged them to do anything a boy would. He was direct and uncomplicated, a steady voice of reason, and a constant beacon of acceptance and warmth for everyone who knew him.

Born in Portland on July 18, 1931, to Harold and Doris (Whittemore) Withee, he grew up alongside his first cousins, Don Withee and Marilyn Maguire, and graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard from 1948–1952, and met the love of his life, Carol Taylor, in a “dark alley” in 1953. Nine months later they were married and went on to raise their family on Fairview Avenue, spending summers at the family camp on Flagstaff Lake and at Abnaki Campground where he taught countless kids how to water ski.

A true jack-of-all-trades (and “master of none”) he worked for several Central Maine businesses as a mechanic, truck driver, carpenter, and maintenance man. He served in the Odd Fellows and on the school board, and was a dedicated and active member of Centenary United Methodist Church for over 70 years, faithfully supporting its many ministries. His love for service extended to his beloved Camp Mechuwana, where he coordinated Memorial Day work weekends, participated in Tres Dias, and served on the Site Committee.

A cherished “Daddy” and “Papa”, he will forever be remembered for his playful duck quacking; his love of cribbage, crosswords, and kitties; his cigar fingers and enveloping hugs; and the countless hours he spent maintaining his pool and mowing his lawn.

There is no way to accurately convey just how big his community of loved ones was – those he loved, and those who loved him. To him, family was everything.

Predeceased by his wife Carol, he is survived by his two girls and the men who loved him dearly: Jan and Dennis Downing, Karen Lewia, and Kirk Karkos, all of Skowhegan; five grandchildren: Alissa Gervais and husband Ted of Corinth, Nathan Downing of Carrabassett Valley, Ian Downing and wife Shannon Brown of Brookline, Mass, Sam Lewia and wife Allison of Douglas, Mass., and Jacob Lewia of Skowhegan; six great-grandchildren: Jasper, Zoey, and Oliver Downing, Colby Gervais, and Rowan and Violet Lewia; special cousins: Doug Bird, Luciann “Midge” Pomelow, Patrick Harvie, Shannon Staples, Vicki Roy, Mary Ellen Sapoznik, and Steve, Paul and Andrew Zebiak; and the residents and staff at the Redington Memorial Home.

A celebration of his life will be held in the spring. Arrangements are in the care of Somerset Valley Remembrance Center (19 Washburn Lane, Skowhegan, ME 04976).

His loved ones wish to express their overwhelming gratitude for the love and support he received from the Redington Memorial Home staff and MaineGeneral Hospice these last few weeks.

Memorial donations can be made to:

Camp Mechuwana (PO Box 277, Winthrop, ME 04634)

MaineGeneral Hospice (PO Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903)