1929 – 2017

AUBURN — Robert (Bob) Lewis Thorpe, 87, a lifelong resident of Auburn, passed away Friday, Jan. 13, at Clover Health Care following a short illness, with his loving family by his side.

Bob was a devoted husband to his dear wife, Catherine (Cathy) DeCoster Thorpe, for 33 years. Bob and Cathy’s marriage followed the death of his first love, Ada Oena Marr Thorpe, to whom he had been married for 30 years.

Bob was born April 19, 1929, the oldest son of Clyde and Thelma Thorpe of Auburn. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1946 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Maine, Orono.

His career spanned 40 years with Harriman Associates, formerly Alonzo J. Harriman Inc., an architectural and engineering firm based in Auburn, which focuses on designing commercial and institutional buildings. Bob started as an electrical engineer, advanced to chief electrical engineer, expanded his knowledge to include mechanical engineering and became an associate of the company. He ultimately served as president of the company for eight years before retiring in 1991.

Bob was a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. He was a member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). During retirement, he became a licensed master electrician in both Maine and Massachusetts.

Always a doer, Bob lived a life committed to his family, church and community. He loved engaging with people and connecting them with each other.

Bob attended the First Universalist Church of Auburn, Unitarian Universalist, from birth. It was here that he became an Eagle Scout while a member of Boy Scout Troop 111. Bob became an official member of the church with his wife Ada in 1960. During his retirement, Bob became further involved in the church, focusing his energies on improving and preserving the building’s integrity.

Bob was civic-minded and generous with his time. He served the city of Auburn as mayor, city councilor at-large and School Committee chairman. He was on the board of the Mid-Maine Waste Action Corp. (MMWAC) as a representative of the City Council. His community service roles also included Auburn Public Library trustee, Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council board member, Lewiston-Auburn Railroad Corp. president, and Boys & Girls Club of Auburn/Lewiston board member. Bob and Cathy hosted two children from the Fresh Air Fund for two weeks each summer for five years.

Bob spent his leisure time gardening, square dancing, visiting sites of educational interest and sailing on Tripp Lake in West Poland and Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester. He treasured time with family, and his family members are grateful for his love and nurturing spirit.

In addition to his wife, Cathy, Bob’s immediate family consists of siblings, Esther Alice Thorpe Tucker of West Poland, and John Alden Thorpe and his wife, Marilyn Austin Thorpe, of Pensacola, Fla.; children with his first wife, Ada (deceased), Lon Henry Thorpe and his wife, Katherine Jean Bryant Thorpe, of Warner, N.H., Barry Clyde Thorpe (deceased) and his widow, Rebecca Knapp Thorpe, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Karen Ursel Thorpe and her partner, Susan Elizabeth Whitford, of Dover, N.H., and Crystal Eileen Thorpe and her husband, Patrick Brian Murray, of Norwood, Mass.; grandchildren, Matthew, Naomi, Abigail and Emily; great-grandchildren, Malachi, Aryana and Gianni; nephews, Kendall and Steven; stepchildren, Lane Arthur DeCoster and his wife, Janis Turner DeCoster, of Cheshire, Conn., and Terrilyn Lea DeCoster of New Gloucester; and stepgrandchildren, Sabina and Isabella.