WALDOBORO — Robert Alan Benner, 89, a life-long resident of Waldoboro passed away on July 3 with his daughter Teresa Bailey by his side. He was born to Otis and Ida E. (Jackson) Benner on February 3, 1936.

As a youngster, at the age of eleven years, he began working summers for Raymond and Lois Piercy, summer neighbors doing many domestic jobs and later worked for Jim and Josie Wood at their garage and cabins. He often remarked of how much he enjoyed working for them.

He married Charlene E. Hathorne of Thomaston in 1957. They divorced in 1978.

After graduating from Waldoboro High School in 1954, he was employed for several years at Georges River Woolen Mill in Warren and a short time at Medomak Canning Company in Winslow Mills. He worked ten years at Bear Hill Market, then eighteen years at Bicknell Manufacturing Company in Rockland. Prior to his retirement, he worked the last ten years at Common Sense Design in Nobleboro. During twenty-eight years of that time he worked at Dow Furniture in Waldoboro as a bookkeeper.

Robert Benner had a great interest in genealogy, inspired by his mother and grandmother Jackson, in his early years. He continued their research, preserving many of his ancestors records along with posting many photos which he proudly displayed in his home. He also enjoyed gardening and nature to its fullest and had a great love of horses and goats.

He nightly said prayers for everyone, looked forward to a ride and lunch on Saturday’s and enjoyed sharing to everyone his many stories about family.

Besides his parents, Robert was predeceased by his son, Morgan in 1992; daughter Katherine in 2001; and grandson John Emerson, Jr. in 2017. In addition, his siblings Otis and his wife Gladys Benner, Eleanor Martin, Ronald and his wives Faye and Anita Benner, Sylvia and her husband Lawrence Buck; Gary Edward Benner and Raymond Ivan Benner; his son-in-law Wade Bailey; a special aunt, Violet; and his fur great grand puppy Kona.

Robert is survived by his daughters Teresa Bailey and Darlene (Jan) Griesenbrock of Waldoboro; his grandchildren: Aaron Murray of Damariscotta, Ian (Hannah) Murray of Waldoboro, Katie (William) Hayes of Owls Head and Evan Benner (partner Alexa Oliver) of Waldoboro; great grandchildren: Trapper Mills-Emerson and mother Alisha of Cushing, Harley and Adelina Murray of Waldoboro, Colson Benner of Waldoboro and his fur great-grandpuppy Maui of Owls Head; brother-in-law Carroll Martin of Nobleboro. Also, a special, nephew Craig Benner, and former son-in-law John Emerson, Sr.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Waldoborough Historical Society, P.O. Box 110, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

The family would like to thank his hospice team and Waldoboro EMTs for the great care they gave him.

There will be no funeral at his request. After cremation, his ashes with be placed by his son’s grave at the German Church Cemetery.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date.