Hartford, VT – Robert E. Ammel, 88, suffered a stroke while he was mowing his lawn in the  historic Jericho District of Hartford, VT.  He died at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH , June 3, 2020.

Bob was born November 3, 1931 in West Lebanon, NH the son of Frederick N. and Madalyn (Kew) Ammel.  He grew up in Norwich and graduated from Hanover High School Class of 1949.   He enlisted in the US Navy in 1949 during the Korean Conflict.  He was stationed in New Jersey with the Naval Aviation group and served as a Machinist Mate maintaining Naval Blimps and PB-1s in Patuxent River, Maryland.

During his time in the Navy, while on leave, he reconnected with a former classmate, Corabelle Brown.  She had completed her training as a nurse and had moved to New York to begin her nursing career. They were married in April 1954 a marriage that has endured for 66 years.

They made their home in Norwich, VT and Bob began his career with New England Telephone Company.  In 1960 they purchased the old Sornberger farm off the Jericho Road in Hartford.  They then started the long process of renovating the property.  Along with their careers and working on their home Bob and Corabelle maintained a substantial vegetable garden, raised beef cattle, chickens, and four healthy children and Bob earned his pilot's license.

In 1983, Bob retired from the Phone Company after thirty-two years of service, but his retirement was in no way the end of his working life.  Along with keeping up his duties on the farm, he operated his saw mill, The Goshen Hollow Lumber Company and volunteered for many area organizations.  Bob had an incredible work ethic and was extremely talented across a wide range of skills that included woodworking, construction, timber framing, gardening and all aspects of tree farming.  His knowledge and common  approach benefited many civic and charitable organizations.

Bob served on the Board of Trustees at the Greater Hartford United Church of Christ.  He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and at Montshire Museum for 20 years and was active in the Hartford Rod and Gun Club.  He was Past Commander of the Lyman Pell American Legion Post #8 in Norwich, Vt;  the Chaplain for the Jeffery Holmes Post #84 in White River Jct., VT; a member of the Naval Aviation Organization, the Jericho Community Club, the Hartford Historical Society and Hartford Hurricane Football for which he volunteered for nearly fifty years.  First on the "chain gang", then as the official time keeper.  He also managed the clock for the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl for over a decade.

Bob was a member of the Greater United Church of Christ, the Hurricane Riders Snowmobile Club and the Goldwing Road Riders Association of New Hampshire.

He was predeceased by his son, Robert Ammel Jr. who died in a tragic accident in 2016, and his sister Margaret (Peg) Fraser.

He is survived by his wife Corabelle and daughter-in-law, Jane Ammel, both of White River Jct., VT;  son Michael D. Ammel and wife Ellen, of Leavenworth, KS; daughter Marilyn McLeroy and husband James of Ruffin, SC; daughter Kathryn Parker and husband Steffen of Williston, VT.  Fourteen grandchildren, Betsy Charron, Jeremiah Hanson, Sarah Helms, Dan Ammel, Emily Stone, Kylie Young, Matthew Ammel, Patrick McLeroy, Jordan Ammel, Madeline Boarman, Joshua Ammel, Josiah Parker, Molly Parker, Jacob Parker. Twenty Three great grandchildren. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.

At Bob's request no services will be held.  Condolences may be made to his family at an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the any of the following organizations, Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1038, White River Jct., VT 05001, Greater Hartford United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 265, Hartford, VT  05047, Hartford Historical Society, P.O. Box 547, Hartford, VT 05047