Photo courtesy of Peaslee Funeral Home - Farmington
Jun 30, 1936 - Jan 1, 2025
I always enjoyed watching Grampy’s bees through his custom built window box that you could watch from inside his living room. He was such an interesting man! Trucking through the woods with him on Xmas Eve to undo his traps allowing the animals to have the food and survive was also really cool! Wish I had been able to spend more time with him You will be missed Grampy! Love you❤
Colleen Pitchford
January 10, 2025 | Charleston, SC | Grandchild
We referred to Bob as "Beaver Bob", he was our trapper and friend. We will miss having him stop in to visit and share his stories and love of the outdoors. Our condolences to his wife and family, may he be fishing, clamming, trapping, hunting, and gardening on the other side of the bridge. We will cherish the memories......
Town of Kingston DPW
January 08, 2025 | Kingston, NH | Friend
Terri & Gail, So sorry for your loss Yvonne & I often spoke of your Dad & family we have many good memories of living on Tolend Rd.
Robert J. & Yvonne R. Martel
January 07, 2025 | Dover, NH | Neighbor
I can still hear his voice saying, “Robert MacMaster, beaver trapper” to identify himself. What a kind hearted and wonderful man. (He trapped beavers for us at our house when they damned the brook. Very memorable person. May he rest in peace.
Michael Case
January 07, 2025 | Rochester, NH
well i met bob in the late 70s i walk up to him and ask him to teach me beaver trapping he said what you doing tomorrow and 45 years later we trap hunted fished farmed built camps did bees he ask me a question once i said the right think he said your are woodmens ill never forget that day
michael paquette
January 07, 2025 | Sanford, ME | Friend
So sorry for your families loss. Sounds like an amazing man. I never had the pleasure to meet him but I am blessed to have his wonderful daughter Gail in our family and lives.
Glenda Hitt
January 06, 2025 | Brewer, ME | Family
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Linda Gordon
January 06, 2025 | Jacksonville, FL | Friend
Gail Mercer
January 06, 2025 | Macclenny, FL | Family
Gail Mercer
January 06, 2025 | Macclenny, FL | Family
Rochester, NH
Robert LeRoy McMaster, 88, of Rochester, NH passed away on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025, after a brief illness.
Robert, “Bob” was born in Dover, NH on June 30, 1936. As a child he lived on Dover Neck Road near great grandfather Issac Lucas, who operated a Brick Yard on the river. He spent half his life in Dover, moving to Rochester in later years. Robert graduated from Dover High School.
Robert worked at Harvey’s Bakery before starting a career with the State of NH Highway Department. During the late 60’s after a family camping trip to Canada, Robert decided on a new idea for a living. Hauling the freshest, fish and “Queen Crab,” to New England from Cape Bretton, Nova Scotia. He started that Seafood Business, hauling crab and fish to the Boston Fish Pier, and as far as Baltimore, Maryland. He then opened a local seafood market from his barn on Tolend Road in Dover. “Cape Breton Seafood” was a well-loved Dover market for fresh seafood, selling to local seafood restaurants and many customers, over the years. He trucked the product himself with help from his brother-in-law and eventually hired help. He closed business in the late 70’s.
Robert, a skilled carpenter, went onto many more endeavors - Best described as an experienced Woodsman, who lived for fishing, hunting, and trapping. An avid Outdoorsman, he was most comfortable romping around the woods and fishing at his “secret” fishing spots, all over Maine and NH. Most of his life, up to days before his passing, contracted by towns, railroads, etc., at 87 he was still trapping, removing Beavers building dams, flooding RR tracks, roads, and land, even helping UNH years back to catch Bobcats to tag them for a study.
Each summer Robert planted a large garden, proud of his big tomatoes ripening early, starting his plants in his greenhouse. Blueberry bushes, strawberry patches, flowers, and Bee Hives covered his property. In his younger years there was farming, lobstering and scuba diving. Robert worked part time at Irve’s Marina in Dover Point, repairing boat engines and outboards.
Robert is predeceased by his father William McMaster, mother Ellen (Lucas) McMaster, and his sister Elizabeth Plante. He is survived by his wife Alice, his two daughters and their spouses, Terrie and Mark Hale, and Gail and Austin Mercer, Sisters Anna Kay, and Roberta Sanborn, his brother and wife, John and Beth McMaster, two granddaughters, Katie Manning and Colleen Flanagan-Pitchford, along with several great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and loyal friend Steve Noel and wife Joan.
A Celebration of Life and private burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover, will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to one of the following in his name, continuing his legacy of love for the outdoors, The Nature Conservancy of NH, or charitable Wildlife Organization of one’s choice.
Robert’s Memory will live on with many told stories of his life’s Outdoor Experiences and Escapades. One of his niece’s summed it up in one sentence “He was one of a kind.”
Cremation care by Peaslee Funeral Home. To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com
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