Robert Wayne Bothen

1951 - 2015

Robert Wayne
Bothen, 64
BOSTON, Mass. - Robert Wayne Bothen, born Feb. 25, 1951 to Thelma H. Bothen (Rourke) and James T. Bothen left his broken body at Mass. General Hospital Sunday, July 19, 2015. He was born in Newton Mass, went to high school in Bar Harbor where he made his first political statement as a non-conformist by refusing to cut his hair, appearing before the school board with an agenda of personal and human rights. He was promptly expelled (much to Thel's chagrin!) and went to The Village School in New Gloucester, Maine and later to Franconia College in N.H.
He was an avid drummer (AKA Rockin' Robbie) and played with a variety of musicians. Always the Activist, he lobbied, picketed, petitioned and fought for the rights of the disenfranchised. He was a damn good pool player well known in Portland bars where he taught his sister to play as his patner.
Robbie eventually moved back to MDI and established himself as a well-known character and force to be reckoned with. Some people "dance to the beat of a different drummer". Robbie was the different drummer and he definitely danced to his own beat! He touched the lives of many different people in many facets of life through his political activism, music, his writings and many selfless acts of kindness and love towards others.
Yet his proudest accomplishments are his two daughters, Chelsea Rae and Ariel Lee Bothen. He took great comfort in being a member and supporter of The Church of Our Father where he made a family for himself and his girls. They enjoyed many DIFFERENT adventures with him, as did we all!
The family wants to thank all members of his church who gave such incredible, consistent support through his final journey. His spirit broke out and flew from the tortures of his physical prison, a body malfunctioning that couldn't be repaired despite all the medical expertise and prayers from friends. He is free at last!
Robbie was predeceased by his parents; nephew Jamie Myers; his love Patty Seabury and half-brother Ronnie Bothen. He is survived by his daughters (loves of his life) Chelsea Rae and Ariel Lee Bothen, son Julien Anderson; grandson JoVan Smith; sister Gayle Myers of Cape Elizabeth, brother Richard Bothen, cousins; many nieces and nephews who always loved "Uncle Robbie"; and his dog Marley who will now be with Robbie's dearest friend Jerome Goff, who was by Rob's side always, if even by phone as his Jeopardy companion, a true brother!
There will be a service at Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, Maine on Friday July 31 at 7 p.m. A true celebration of this complex, eclectic, spirited man with his music loving friends and fellow musicians will be planned at a later date.