Robert Karl Blackburn

Robert Karl Blackburn April 4, 1928 August 25, 2012 Robert Blackburn of Portland , passed away on August 25, 2012 surrounded by his family . Robert Blackburn was born in the coal mining town of Aldrich, Alabama on April 4, 1928, son of Thomas F. Blackburn and Mamie(Weems) Blackburn. As a child of 8, he moved with his family to Panama City, Florida. He attended Bay High School on his 17 th birthday he joined the U S Navy in 1945, where he served as a machinist mate in the Submarine Service, stationed in Pearl Harbor. He saw the end of World War Two. He witnessed the atomic bomb tests on the Bimini Atoll in the South Pacific. While in the Navy he took boxing lessons from Gene Tunney, the heavy weight champion of the world; and when discharged in 1947 was reigning light heavyweight champion of the Third Fleet. As a young man in the early 1950's Bob played on two State of Florida championship fast pitch softball teams coached by his father . The International Paper team coached by his father also played in the national championships placing fourth. While employed at SD Warren he won two State of Maine fast pitch softball championships in the early 1960's as a pitcher. After the navy Bob worked as an engineer for International Paper and Beloit Iron Works installing paper machines. At 25 years old, working for Beloit he installed the largest paper mill in the world at the Great Northern paper mill in East Millinocket, Maine. He joined S D Warren in the Westbrook mill as the Maintenance Superintendent . He was promoted to the Chief Engineer and later when Scott Paper acquired S D Warren was promoted to the Vice President of Engineering . Bob was particularly proud of his work building the Hinckley mill for Scott Paper, which also included the largest paper machine in the world at that time. Bob concluded his career by working for Princeton Papers in Fichburg Ma, with a state of the art de inking plant making recycled pulp. On August 8, 1947, he married the love of his life Maxine (Tew) Blackburn whom he had met working at a dime store in Panama City. Bob and Maxine recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Maxine was a devoted wife and ready for the many adventures Bob pursued. These included several trips along the East Coast bringing their boat the Kathy B from Alabama to Maine. They survived rogue waves, gales and waterspouts. Bob loved his family, and enjoyed his summers on Sebago lake; hunting and snowmobiling in Upton, Maine; fishing on Maine's many lakes and the ocean; and cruising the Maine coast in one of the three Kathy B's. An avid sports fan, he was always ready to give or receive odds on football games. As one of the worst golfers in recent memory, he scored a hole in one at the Estero Florida golf course. Bob was predeceased by his parents ,siblings Willard, Tom, Charles, and Helen. He is survived by his loving wife Maxine of 65 years , children Thomas Blackburn and his wife Carolyn of Portland; Phillip Blackburn and his wife Elaine of Gorham; and Kathy Holmes and her husband Gordie of Yarmouth. He is survived by his brother Jack and sister Nancy. He is also survived by his grandchildren Tyler Blackburn and his wife Ibon, Benjamin Blackburn, Matthew DiBiase and his wife Lisa, Adrian Holmes and his wife Amber, Brandon Holmes and his wife Kelly. As well as great grandchildren Jordan Dibiase, Isabella Blackburn, Zoe Holmes, Stella Holmes, and Harrison Holmes, and many nieces and nephews and friends. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 from 1 - 3pm, with a Masonic service to follow at 3pm at A.T. Hutchins, LLC Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave Portland. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery, Portland. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com

Robert Karl Blackburn

April 4, 1928 - August 25, 2012

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