John Bates Annett

1916 – 2009

AUBURN — John B. Annett, longtime resident of Auburn, died on Nov. 9 after a long and noble battle with aging.

He was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., on April 15, 1916. After graduating from Colgate University in 1939, he also did graduate studies in political science at Syracuse University. A WWII military veteran, he served as Lieutenant (jg) aboard the USS Doyle from 1943 to 1946. He served as assistant to the president at Bates College from 1946 to 1969 and was an honorary member of the Bates Class of 1953. He taught U.S. history at Edward Little High School from 1972 to 1982 and was president of the Maine Retired Teachers Association for many years thereafter.

Throughout a lifetime of service to others, he had numerous civic commitments such as chair of the Auburn School Committee, president of Kiwanis Club, and board member of the YMCA and the Salvation Army. He was very involved with church activities and was a former member of the United Baptist Church of Lewiston. He also served on the Maine Medical Board during his very active retirement. Retirement was somewhat of an oxymoron, as he continually took on new challenges and stayed current with social and political trends.

Along with his wife, Dorothy, he traveled extensively and enjoyed touring museums, old castles and church ruins as well as vibrant and contemporary theater and Broadway productions. An avid music and theater enthusiast, Mr. Annett was a ticket holder at the Maine State Music Theatre and the Theater at Monmouth, and was a board member of the Maine Acting Co.

He was very interested in the power of education and positively influencing the youth of America and took every opportunity to connect with and mentor his students. He always made himself available to talk and invited many an individual to join him for one of Mrs. Annett’s fabulous home-cooked meals. He was academically brilliant, but what truly drew people to him were his kind and gentle spirit and forgiving heart.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy, to whom he’d been married since 1940. 

He will be greatly missed by his two children, Carol Rorick of Auburn and Patricia Annett of Roxbury, Mass.; three grandchildren, Nate Rorick of Milford, N.H., Dorothy Ross of Lexington, Ky., and Andrea Bernard of Chelsea, Mass.; and several great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, tolerance, and scholarship.

ANNETT — John Bates died Nov. 9.

Friends are invited to join the family for an open house at Skelton
Lounge on the second floor of Chase Hall at Bates College, 56 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, on Friday, Nov. 13, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.