1921 – 2016

BANGOR — Robert “Bob” Merle Schipper, 94, of Bangor and formerly of Stratton, passed on Thursday, April 7, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor.

He was born on May 2, 1921, in Detroit, Mich., to John Edward and Marie (Bronsveld) Schipper. Bob attended Pleasantville High School and went on to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and U.S. Naval Flight School. Bob served as a pilot during World War II and delivered cargo and troops over enemy lines.

He went on to work at several airlines including SeaBoard World, Flying Tigers and FedEx. Bob was a co-owner of Kibby Kamp in Eustis for more than 40 years, during which time he met his wife, Sandra.

Bob was an avid hunter and fly fisherman, he enjoyed painting with watercolors and reading Westerns and biographies. Bob was a lifetime member of the Camp Fire Club of America where he earned a Medal of Valor Award for lifesaving, one of only four awarded in the 119 year history of the club.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sandra (Black) Schipper; and two stepsons, Robert and wife, Heather Belanger, of Brunswick, and John and wife, Diana Bean, of Dedham; and three grandchildren, Jacob and Abigail Belanger and Jonah Bean. Bob is also survived by many nieces and nephews across the country; and many special friends including Blaine and Bonnie Holding, David and Cherlyn Simpson, and Claude and Donna Pepin.

Bob was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Edward Schipper and Paul Schipper; and two sisters, Audry Balchen and Marie Fluegel.

Special thanks to the Maine Veterans’ Home of Bangor and St. Joseph Hospital for their support.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com, where his video tribute may also be viewed.

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