Robert Carpenter

ROCHESTER - Robert E. Carpenter, 90, passed away on Sept. 9, 2009, at the Gafney Home following a period of failing health with his family by his side. Born Sept. 22, 1918, in South Lebanon, Maine, he was the son of Ernest and Hattie (Wentworth) Carpenter. He was the sixth child of nine children. Robert attended a one-room school in South Lebanon for four years and when it closed, he transferred to the Rochester school system. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1937. He worked in the Woolen Mill and Hubbard Shoe Company in East Rochester. Robert served in the U.S. Air Force for three years and eight months as an airplane mechanic, reaching the grade of S/Sgt. He was discharged Dec. 1, 1945. He married Martha Bagley of East Rochester in 1945. After working in local businesses, he was employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He entered as a machinist helper and advanced to Shop 38 superintendent. He was a nuclear supervisor for over 25 years and earned the position of refueling supervisor. He...