RANGELEY — Robert Charles Griscom Jr. passed away on August 23.

He was born on Dec. 16, 1937, to Robert Charles Griscom Sr. and Grace Griscom (Williams) of Fairview, N.J., a section of Camden. He attended Yorkship school as a youngster, and graduated in 1955 from Camden High. In 1957, his marriage to Frances Megee of Gloucester, N.J., began, and lasted 39 wonderful years. Fran passed on in 1996.

He worked various jobs up through high school, when his uncle, Ray Williams, arranged an interview for him at New York Shipbuilding Corp. A short stint as an office boy led to a 26-year career as a ship design draftsman for New York Ship, Consultec Inc., and finally Sun Ship Building and Dry Dock in Chester, Pa. He drafted many ship designs, including the USS Kittyhawk, which was deployed during the most recent conflict in the Persian Gulf. His former supervisor, who still called him every year on Christmas Eve, once said “Bobby Griscom was the finest draftsman I ever had at New York Ship.”

In 1981 he and his family moved from Camden, N.J., to a small town in Maine called Rangeley, a place he thought to be the best in the world. He always said he felt warmly received from the beginning, even though he was a “flatlander.”

His first job was for a local home builder called G & L Haley. Shortly thereafter, he began his career as a real estate broker for the Noyes Agency. He then spent 14 years at the Morton & Furbish Real Estate Agency, while also co-owning Four Seasons Rental Agency. The last 10 years of his life he served as the code enforcement officer of Rangeley, as well as the plumbing inspector.

Aside from his immediate jobs, he was always involved in something, and there was rarely a time when he wasn’t busy. Serving as grandmaster of the Freemasons in the Kemankeag Lodge, Number 213, he also was affiliated with the Kora Temple Shriners.

Aside from that, he served two terms as the president of the rotary club, as well as two terms in the secretary position. In positions directly related to town business, he was formerly the chair of the board of selectman, planning board, a member of the zoning appeals board, the Rangeley Water District, the ordinance committee, health officer, E911 officer, sewer commissioner, volunteer fireman, and proudly a member of the Veterans Memorial Committee. With the support of family and friends, he was 12 years the president of the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club, which contributed immensely to the tourism and economy of the town.

In his spare time Bob enjoyed many activities. He loved the outdoors, and particularly enjoyed being in the woods. Hunting deer with his son and grandson was perhaps his most coveted yearly event. Bob was an accomplished marksman with both firearms and bow and arrow. He firmly believed in the right to bear arms.

Growing up in the era of the 1950s, he also loved hot rods, which led him to building his dream. That dream came in the form of a 1966 Chevy low rider truck, which won best in show at the Carlisle All Truck Nationals, in Carlisle Pa.

Among his many interests, Bob’s fondest memories were made around the table at family dinners. Bob could and would talk about anything. He believed that family was the most important earthly treasure, and loved his own tremendously. His greatest love was for Jesus Christ, his Lord and savior. As a deacon in the Fairview United Methodist Church, he sometimes preached, and was active there for many years. In his final years, he was a member of the Rangeley Free Baptist Church, and found a spiritual love there that he perhaps had never known as a young Christian. It was his favorite place on Sundays, and a warm congregation where he felt completely at home.

Bob leaves a daughter, Julie Lee Shaffer, and her husband, Gary Joseph Shaffer, of Rangeley, a son, Brian Robert Griscom, and his wife, Sarah Kate Griscom, of Rangeley; He also leaves a sister, Robin Griscom Lane, and her husband, Norman Lane, of Millinocket; and a brother, David L. Griscom. His grandchildren are Sarah Shaffer Gesualdi, and her husband, Scott Gesualdi, of Windham, Ethan Shaffer (his brother in Christ), and his wife, Nancy E. Shaffer, of Rangeley, and Forest, Orrin, and Joanie Mitchell all of Rangeley. He also leaves two great-grandchildren, Ella and Lily Shaffer of Rangeley. He leaves his favorite aunt, Ellen Williams, of Westmont N.J.

You would be hard pressed to find a soul in the greater Rangeley area who had not intereacted in some way with Bob Griscom. Most nights, temperature not withstanding, one was likely to see him walking his big black dog, Bear. He would say hello. Bob — A friendly man, a friend, a brother and a father. However one wishes to see him, he was of the finest. He drank his coffee black.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with the family at www.wilesrc.com. Funeral services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, ME 04938.