LEWISTON – Robert “Bob” C. Hakala, 80, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, in Lewiston, after a brief illness.

He was born in Norway, on Feb. 19, 1925. He was the son of Carl I. and Hannah Erickson Hakala. He graduated from South Paris High School in the Class of 1944. During his high school years he worked on his father’s farm and woodlots.

He entered the Army in April 1945. During World War II, he served 18 months in Italy with the 80th Infantry Division. After his discharge, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving there until 1973.

In 1947, he enrolled in a combustion engine course at the Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute at Augusta. He graduated in 1949. It was during this period of time that he met a lovely young lady, Dawn Weston of Gardiner, who was to become his wife on Aug. 26, 1950. For the next 10 years, he and his father bought and operated timber lots.

He was awarded a star route mail contract to truck mail between Auburn and West Bethel, in February 1960. This was his career until November 1998. During this time he served as secretary treasurer of the NSRMCA, Maine branch for 14 years.

He loved spending time with his family at their summer cottage on Flying Pond in Vienna. After selling their Auburn home of 39 years in 2001, the beautiful lake camp became their main residence. He enjoyed having his collie dogs with him. He also loved to fish and hunt, and be in the woods.

His survivors include his wife, Dawn Weston Hakala, of Vienna; one son, James Hakala and his wife, Paula, of South Paris; daughter, Pamela Hakala Seymour and son-in-law, Wally Seymour, of Tampa, Fla., and daughter, Amy Hakala Dolan and her husband, Tim, of Sharon, Mass.; his cherished grandchildren include Kevin Hakala of Lewiston, Nichole Hakala and her fiance, Travis Poisson, of Mechanic Falls, Rachel Seymour of Los Angeles, Jessica Seymour of Boston, Jake Seymour of Tampa, Fla., Johannah Mae and Charles Robert Dolan of Sharon, Mass., Ian Wallingford and his wife, Laura, of Minot, Beth Wallingford and her fiance, Chris Randall, of Auburn, and Amy Wallingford of Burlington, Vt.

He was predeceased by his parents; his infant brother, Wilbur; his daughter-in-law, Arlene Lagasse Hakala; and his grandaughter, Linnea Katherine Dolan.

He was a deeply loved man and he will truly be missed by all who knew him. The family wants to send a special thank you to three wonderful sister-in-laws, Shirley Ann Hanley of Randolph, Irene Wing of Bangor and Bonnie Hayes of Manchester.