Robert W. Locke

Robert (Bob) W. Locke, 97, died November 22, 2024, with family by his side. 

Originally from Canaan, Vermont, born on February 12, 1927, Bob was the youngest of the late John and Nellie (Yates) Locke’s five children. He was a graduate of Canaan High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry at the University of Maine at Orono, and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II. 

Bob married Elsie Gemmell in 1952, and together they shared 69 wonderful years of marriage until her death in 2021. They moved to Maine in 1954 when Bob accepted a position with the Maine State Forest Service to assess the environmental damage of Hurricanes Carol and Edna that hit the state hard over just a two week period. He would go on to have a 30 plus year career with the Forest Service and become known in industry circles as “Bobby Evergreen”. Mr. Locke is credited for overseeing the planting of roughly one million trees across the Northern Maine region. He was also a self-employed surveyor, as was his father before him, a practice he continued after his retirement from the state. 

Bob was man of great faith and a longtime, active member of the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday school for many years, served on the Board of Trustees, and was a member of the United Methodist Men’s Club as well as several other church committees.

He is survived by three daughters Lorelei (Tim), Diana (David), and Amy (Steve); a son, Robert John (Sarah); five grandchildren, Benjamin, Keegan, Locke, Winter, and Pepper; and three great-grandchildren, Locke, Cutter, and Eli.

Our dear father will be forever remembered for his sweet smile, kind demeanor, patience beyond measure, deep love and stewardship of the outdoors, and stalwart dedication to his family. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1PM at the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Locke may do so through the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 69, Caribou, Maine 04736 or by planting a tree in Bob’s memory by visiting https://plantatree.fs.usda.gov/tree-donation.