Robert Davis Fairfax, Vermont Obituary

Robert Davis

Robert L Davis July 25, 1927-Jan 19, 2016 Robert L Davis of Londonderry, Ferrisburgh and most recently Shelburne, Vermont, passed away at rest on January 19, 2016 at the age of 88. He was born in Warren, PA July 25, 1927, son of the late Alice Lipp Davis and Frederick S. Davis. Known as Mellow Bob, he lived a full and diverse life of optimism, thoughtfulness and always time for others, young and old. Bob attended Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, graduating in 1946. Enlisting in the U.S. Army he served in WW2, guarding the Golden Gate Bridge and the Korean War, stationed in Japan. In 1950 he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Warton School of Business, where he met Charlotte at a DKE fraternity "tea party". In summers, he lifeguarded in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. He began working for AT&T in sales and management first in Philadelphia, eventually in NYC for more than twenty years, a "Pioneer". A life-long learner, Bob was a gifted craftsman and tinkerer. He taught himself to sail, building a Rhodes Bantam from a kit, taking family and friends adventuring on the Delaware River. In good cheer, he traded the Rhodes to a good friend for property in Charlestown, Rhode Island, and family summer spot. But soon the skiing bug hit and Bob taught the family to ski, discovering Vermont in the 60's. An ad in Yankee Magazine resulted in swapping the Rhode Island property for land in Londonderry with the Fosters of Weston, putting down roots in Vermont. He enjoyed skiing well into his 80's, both alpine and nordic, at Stratton, Bromley and Viking Ski Touring Center, out his back door. He fished, and in the fall bird hunted. Eventually he took up sailing again on Lake Champlain, completing the circle of adventure started long ago. A great believer in community, Bob served on the Londonderry Planning Commission for over ten years and was a member of the Windham County Regional Planning Commission. A little league umpire in good weather, winters saw both he and Charlotte mentored kids skiing at Okemo. Not to sit still, Bob applied his woodworking skills to post and beam construction, building their wonderful and warm house on Boyton Road, a wonderful gathering place for family and friends. With requests from neighbors, Bob set out on yet another course, eventually building over ten custom post and beam houses, repairing barns and Vermont's vernacular homes. they stand as a tribute to his skills, and ability to guide others to do their best. In their 70's, he and Charlotte purchased and cared for the original 1792 Dakin Homestead in Ferrisburgh in 2002 to be closer to family, especially granddaughter Alice, skiing, sailing, ice skating with her. Volunteering on the Lois McClure schooner construction and touring in a 1928 Model A brought them closer to new friends. A priority, Bob and Char always stayed in touch with everyone across the country, an ideal model of parents and love for friends, family and country for many. He was predeceased by wife and companion Charlotte W. Davis. He is survived by son Robert L. Davis Jr. and his wife Monica Sargent, their daughter Alice Davis and step children Gabe Coleman, Sam Coleman and his family, all of Burlington, VT. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Orelyn Rice Emerson of Jericho, Mary Lynn Rice Dundas and husband Richard Dundas and their son Michael of Palo Alto, CA. He was predeceased by his brother Fred S. Davis Jr. and brother in law Richard Emerson. He is survived by Fred's wife, Dorothy Davis. Also surviving are nieces, Laurie Emerson, Ellie Emerson Brady, Patrick Brady, Jennifer Davis Martin and husband Terry Martin, great nieces Emma Brady, Julia, Annalise and Harrison Martin. Many thanks to Dr. Stephen Baad, Cathy and the team at GoodHealth, the many caregivers at UVMMC and of coarse the global and caring community at Shelburne Bay Residency, caring for Abby the Tabby. All giving him his nine lives. Donations in Bob's honor may be made to a local Red Cross chapter, veterans organization or the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. A memorial service will be held in the spring and details will be announced at that time. Sail on Bob. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.
July 25, 1927 - January 19, 201607/25/192701/19/2016
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Obituary

Robert L Davis July 25, 1927-Jan 19, 2016 Robert L Davis of Londonderry, Ferrisburgh and most recently Shelburne, Vermont, passed away at rest on January 19, 2016 at the age of 88. He was born in Warren, PA July 25, 1927, son of the late Alice Lipp Davis and Frederick S. Davis. Known as Mellow Bob, he lived a full and diverse life of optimism, thoughtfulness and always time for others, young and old. Bob attended Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, graduating in 1946. Enlisting in the U.S. Army he served in WW2, guarding the Golden Gate Bridge and the Korean War, stationed in Japan. In 1950 he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Warton School of Business, where he met Charlotte at a DKE fraternity "tea party". In summers, he lifeguarded in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. He began working for AT&T in sales and management first in Philadelphia, eventually in NYC for more than twenty years, a "Pioneer". A life-long learner, Bob was a gifted craftsman and tinkerer. He taught himself to sail, building a Rhodes Bantam from a kit, taking family and friends adventuring on the Delaware River. In good cheer, he traded the Rhodes to a good friend for property in Charlestown, Rhode Island, and family summer spot. But soon the skiing bug hit and Bob taught the family to ski, discovering Vermont in the 60's. An ad in Yankee Magazine resulted in swapping the Rhode Island property for land in Londonderry with the Fosters of Weston, putting down roots in Vermont. He enjoyed skiing well into his 80's, both alpine and nordic, at Stratton, Bromley and Viking Ski Touring Center, out his back door. He fished, and in the fall bird hunted. Eventually he took up sailing again on Lake Champlain, completing the circle of adventure started long ago. A great believer in community, Bob served on the Londonderry Planning Commission for over ten years and was a member of the Windham County Regional Planning Commission. A little league umpire in good weather, winters saw both he and Charlotte mentored kids skiing at Okemo. Not to sit still, Bob applied his woodworking skills to post and beam construction, building their wonderful and warm house on Boyton Road, a wonderful gathering place for family and friends. With requests from neighbors, Bob set out on yet another course, eventually building over ten custom post and beam houses, repairing barns and Vermont's vernacular homes. they stand as a tribute to his skills, and ability to guide others to do their best. In their 70's, he and Charlotte purchased and cared for the original 1792 Dakin Homestead in Ferrisburgh in 2002 to be closer to family, especially granddaughter Alice, skiing, sailing, ice skating with her. Volunteering on the Lois McClure schooner construction and touring in a 1928 Model A brought them closer to new friends. A priority, Bob and Char always stayed in touch with everyone across the country, an ideal model of parents and love for friends, family and country for many. He was predeceased by wife and companion Charlotte W. Davis. He is survived by son Robert L. Davis Jr. and his wife Monica Sargent, their daughter Alice Davis and step children Gabe Coleman, Sam Coleman and his family, all of Burlington, VT. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Orelyn Rice Emerson of Jericho, Mary Lynn Rice Dundas and husband Richard Dundas and their son Michael of Palo Alto, CA. He was predeceased by his brother Fred S. Davis Jr. and brother in law Richard Emerson. He is survived by Fred's wife, Dorothy Davis. Also surviving are nieces, Laurie Emerson, Ellie Emerson Brady, Patrick Brady, Jennifer Davis Martin and husband Terry Martin, great nieces Emma Brady, Julia, Annalise and Harrison Martin. Many thanks to Dr. Stephen Baad, Cathy and the team at GoodHealth, the many caregivers at UVMMC and of coarse the global and caring community at Shelburne Bay Residency, caring for Abby the Tabby. All giving him his nine lives. Donations in Bob's honor may be made to a local Red Cross chapter, veterans organization or the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. A memorial service will be held in the spring and details will be announced at that time. Sail on Bob. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.

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