BRUNSWICK – Robert E. “Bogie” Beals Sr., 79, of Stoneybrook Road, Phippsburg, died Thursday, Jan. 24, at Mid Coast Hospital.

He was born in Bath on March 22, 1928, a son of George C. “Pardy” Sr. and Eveline Parshley Beals.

He married Geneva L. Wallace on Aug. 25, 1949, at West Point.

He worked for Hyde Windlass as a welder during the 1960s, then began his own welding and fabrication business working from a used bread truck.

He was extraordinarily civic minded and dedicated much of his life to improving the health and safety of the people of Phippsburg. He built the town’s first fire truck by fabricating tanks and pumps on surplus military vehicles. As fire chief for 32 years, he oversaw the fire department’s transformation into a force of highly trained volunteers outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. He remained active in the fire department until his death.

In 1964, he and his wife Geneva, along with great friend John Rogers, started Phippsburg Rescue with their private station wagons, stretchers and two suitcases full of bandages. He stood vigil by his phone on countless nights to ensure a quick response to a call for help. The growth of Phippsburg Fire and Rescue was in large part funded by the tens of thousands of dollars he raised by collecting returnable bottles and cans.

In the late 60s, he worked with Foster Pratt, Bill Plummer and other local parents of students in need of services not provided in the public school system to establish Elmhurst Center, in a cottage on the grounds of what is now known as Hyde School. Elmhurst has grown into the beautiful new facility on Centre Street in Bath.

He was active in many community activities and was considered by many as the first to be consulted before beginning any community project. He was known for his ability to fix anything and helped everybody that came to him in need.

He enjoyed being surrounded by his family, his camp, raccoon and deer hunting, reading the weekly Uncle Henry’s magazine, attending town suppers and breakfasts, but especially the daily contact with his comrades at Pinetree.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years; two sons, Robert E. Beals Jr. and Lawson J. Beals, both of Phippsburg; two daughters, Allison L. Jacobs and her husband, Dale, and Marvis L. Coombs and her husband, Dan, all of Phippsburg; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law; three cousins; five nephews; and a niece.