FALMOUTH – Robert Cornelius Dutton, 82, athlete, World War II pilot, engineer, family man, died Monday, Aug. 14, in Falmouth.

He was born May 25, 1924, in Palmyra, the son of Roy and Olga (Millet) Dutton.

After graduating from Edward Little High School, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine at Orono. It was while carpooling from Auburn to Orono with Dorothy Currier that Dot and Bob fell in love. They were married June 20, 1946, recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

He interrupted his college education to join the U.S. Navy to contribute to the war effort during World War II. He earned his pilot’s wings and was in training to become a dive-bomber when the war ended. He completed his engineering degree and went to work at Fels Co. of Portland. While there, he and two fellow employees, in 1957, formed Mechanical Services Inc.

He was a member of many community organizations, including Woodford’s Club. He also enjoyed sports throughout his life, including football (co-captain, all-conference center and member of the state champion team in 1941), basketball, baseball, boxing, ski jumping and water skiing. For many years, he and Dot enjoyed skiing with family and friends at Sugarloaf.

Despite his many accomplishments, perhaps the greatest of Bob’s accomplishments was the development of his integrity. He was honest, fair, forgiving, hard-working and down-to-earth. He was compassionate toward people who struggled with life’s many challenges. He showed all of us, by example, how to live well.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Currier) Dutton; a daughter, Nancy E. Dutton; a brother, Merle Dutton; a sister, Marjorie Freeman Perkins; and grandchildren, Christopher Robert Raney, Benjamin Duttton Drury and Jana Drury.

He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Richard Dutton; and his daughter, Pamela Dutton Raney.