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OWLS HEAD- Robert Fuller Hills, 96, passed peacefully, January, 25, 2017. The youngest of two boys, Bob was born March 10, 1920, in Rockland, Maine to Stella and Oliver Hills, where his father worked with the Courier Gazette newspaper.

Following in a long line of mariners, Bob’s boyhood years were spent enjoying the waters of Penobscot Bay where he built and navigated his first sailboat at age 14. In his twenties, he took charter parties up the Bay to Bar Harbor and worked in boatyards on both the East and West coasts. Also, he worked for Camden Ship Building and as a mate on the Indra for Captain Swift. In 1944, he took his first of eight cross country trips to Long Beach, California. There, he worked building B-17 bombers as part of the war-effort. During the winters, he was employed in boatyards in Newport Beach, CA.

Starting in 1963, for nineteen years, he journeyed through the Atlantic as captain for the Cahners Family along with his wife, Glenys and mate, Ricky Doherty. He was at the helm of a number of different sailboats, including a 48’ yawl and the 73’ Lady Helene.

After retiring in 1982, Bob and Glenys returned full time to Owls Head. They traveled throughout Europe and continued to enjoy times gardening and sailing in midcoast Maine.

In more recent years, Bob enjoyed traveling to town each day to pick up his mail, shop and visit with his long-time friends, Ronnie and Martha Bickford, of Rockland. Martha showered him with an endless supply of her delicious home baked goods, and Ronnie was his right-hand man, always there to help with the many chores of the cottage. In good weather, Bob would drive one of his antique Mercedes to town, always taking pleasure in the plethora of compliments received for their classic beauty.

In the past few decades, Bob formed quite a camaraderie with a younger generation. He had an incredible friendship with Sarah Nelson, of Searsmont, and reveled in sharing stories, music, cocktails and photographs with her. During their many visits, tales were told of times spent with the ol’ gang at local dance halls of yesteryear. Bob was very fond of his neighbors, Jackie & Glenn Lawrence, and the lobsters or fish chowder they regularly delivered. Junia & Barry Norris, Louis Leach and George & Sarah Martin, were an integral part of his festive birthday celebrations. Friendships were made with many appreciated companions through A.S.K. For Home Care and Harbor Hill Center. With all these friends, his great love of music was well recognized, as rarely would you join him without hearing tunes from the 40s piping from his sound system.

Throughout his life, Bob treasured countless cats, including Tiger and Spooky. Endless hours were spent watching and playing with them, as he considered them his family. Bob is survived by his childhood friends and cousins, Louise Knowlton, of Rockland and Cynthia McCausland of Virginia Beach, VA. In 1994, he was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Glenys Lermond Hills, of South Hope. His wife, Mary Ward Hills, of Rockland, passed in 2013.

A memorial reception will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home’s, ‘110 Limerock’ reception facility.
Rev. Wayne Sawyer will officiate. Interment will be in the summer, at Achorn Cemetery, Rockland.