HARTLAND, VT
Robert E. "Red" Dukeshire, 87, a longtime resident of Hartland, passed away Sunday morning, May 17 at the Cedar Hill Continuing Healthcare Center in Windsor.
He was born July 11, 1927 in Lynn, MA the son of William E. and Myrtle M. (Lindsey) Dukeshire. He was raised in Saugus, MA and graduated from Saugus High School in 1945. He enlisted in the US Naval Air Force to attend flight school. He attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and later Union College in Schenectady. Following his honorable discharge in 1946 he attended Tufts College School of Engineering in Medford, MA and graduated in June of 1951 earning his Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He married Pauline J. Smith on June 15, 1949 in Saugus, MA. Mr. Dukeshire began his thirty six year career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in January of 1952, beginning briefly in Akron, OH and later transferring to the Windsor plant where he was Manager of Research and Development until his retirement in 1987, when the plant officially closed.
Following his retirement, he started R & D Consulting out of Hartland, working in Taiwan and India for two years. He then volunteered for the International Executive Service Corporation, serving several tours of duty including in El Salvador and Kenya. While in Kenya he made a trip around the world, circumnavigating the globe, from Kenya to England to Nova Scotia to Ohio to Los Angeles, CA to Hawaii to Taiwan to Hong Kong to Thailand to India and returning to Kenya.
Following his formal retirement he and his wife returned to Hartland and spent the winter months in Zephyrhills, FL for twenty years.
Robert was a longtime member and Past President of the Windsor Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member and Past Master of the VT Lodge #18 F & AM in Windsor and a member of the Scottish Rite. He actively served on the Windsor Hospital Board when the decision was made to construct a new hospital, he convinced his fellow board members to name it Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center making it a regional facility. He served on the Mt. Ascutney Hospital Board of Directors for many years.
Bob was the Goodyear representative of Boy Scout Troop #218 in Windsor for several years, and a Cub Scout Master for the Hartland Pack #35. He also served on the Hartland School Board when the decision was made to build the new town wide Hartland Elementary School. He also served the Town of Hartland serving as a selectman and as a member of the Planning Commission. He was a member and Deacon of the First Congregational Church of Hartland. Bob volunteered as a math tutor for the Howard Dean Technical Center in Springfield, VT.
Mr. Dukeshire was fond of spending time at the family camp in Maine, fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, was an avid reader, enjoyed poetry and oil painting. He proudly planted many types of trees on his properties for many years. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
He was predeceased by his parents, one brother, William F. Dukeshire, and one grandson, Tyler Savageau.
Survivors include his wife of sixty six years, Pauline J. Dukeshire of Hartland, four sons, David E. Dukeshire and his wife, Laura of Hartland, Daniel E. Dukeshire and his wife, Linda of Rutland, VT, Robert L. Dukeshire and his wife, Hosanna of Westminster, VT and Mark E. Dukeshire and his wife, Brenda of Nashua, NH, one daughter, Martha J. Savageau and her husband, Ronald of Benson, VT, one brother, Stephen L. Dukeshire and his wife, Gudrun of Zephyrhills, FL, one sister, Joan D. Shelton of Indianapolis, IN, nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Hartland, with the Rev. Lucia Jackson, Pastor, officiating. Committal services will follow in the Hartland Village Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow at the church hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center at 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089.
The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor is entrusted with the arrangements.