FREEPORT – Robert “Bob” Everett Darling Sr., 73, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, after a long illness.

He was born in Portland on Aug. 21, 1933, the son of Lena Elizabeth (Stimson) and Linwood Everett Darling.

The family moved to Cumberland when he was 4 years old. He attended Cumberland schools and graduated from Greely Institute in the Class of 1952.

He was a Greely standout in basketball and baseball, captain of both teams.

In later years, he was a basketball referee for 25 years and in 2000, he was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.

After graduation, he served a two-year stint in the U.S. Navy. While he was in the Navy, he was scouted by the Boston Red Sox, but his father convinced him to return home and complete his education. Bob returned to Portland and played semipro league baseball and attended Portland Junior College.

He also met and had the good sense to marry Marge Panetti.

He went on to Boston University and in 1959, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication.

He began his banking career at Canal National Bank that year, and retired after 31 years.

In the early 60s, Bob and five friends began the task of building Val Halla Golf Club in Cumberland, a venture he was most proud of. After retirement, he worked at Val Halla as outside tournament director, up until two years ago.

As much pleasure as golf gave him, he most enjoyed being his son’s caddy at the various state pro golfers’ tournaments.

Bob also liked horses and he and his brother, Norm, owned a sulky named, “Trusty Just Mite.”

He will be remembered as a man who could talk with anybody, who loved the company of his friends and his family, and who loved a good time, and sharing a laugh. A man of scrupulous honesty, he personified integrity.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Marge of Cumberland; a son, Bob Jr. and his wife, Diane, of Lewiston; a daughter, Tracy Percy and her husband, Dave, of Popham Beach; a son, Rick and his wife, Debbie, of Clearwater, Fla.; three grandsons, David, Michael, and Robert of Popham; two step-brothers, Peter Draper of California, and Steven Draper of Massachusetts.

Bob’s family would like to acknowledge the staff of Hawthorne House in Freeport for the wonderful care he received on every wing he resided.