Robert MacLean

MARLBORO -- Robert Bears MacLean, 80, of Lucier Road, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, surrounded by his family at his home.

He was born Oct. 11, 1926 in St. Petersburg, Fla., the son of Donald Bannerman MacCloud MacLean and Annie Agnes Bears MacLean.

He graduated from Stoneham(Mass.) High School and the New England School of Art, Boston.

Mr. MacLean served in Germany as corporal in the Army Air Corps. He was with the 543rd Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Group, and played in the Air Corps Jazz Band.

He married Alma Virginia Werre of Stoneham, and settled in Westminster West, where they raised their four children. She died in 1986.

He worked as a commercial artist for Associated Artists of Boston, and later from his home as a freelance artist, textbook and children's book illustrator.

In his later years, Mr. MacLean pursued his passion for writing and illustrating his own children's books, blessed by his treasured association and collaboration with his writers' group.

Mr. MacLean was an active and devoted member of the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Brattleboro for more than 40 years, serving as coordinator of activities from 1970 until 1979. He also served on the Westminster School Board.

Mr. MacLean was a lifelong artist and musician. He was an accomplished amateur jazz drummer, member of the Vermont Jazz Center, and in earlier years, sang with his father in the Yankee Male Chorus.

His artwork was often on exhibit in the region and he leaves behind a wealth of paintings, drawings and sketches, recording impressions of life both far and near, at his home in Marlboro, which he shared for the last 25 years with his loving spouse, travel companion and fellow artist, Katharine Turner.

He maintained an active supporting interest in social justice and peace; from the peace and civil rights movements of the 1960s to the global peace initiatives and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.

In addition to his spouse, Katherine, and her daughters Alison, Erica and Kirsten Turner, he is also survived by his children, Susan Rose of Chewelah, Wash., Betty Ann Baker of Jupiter, Fla., Donald MacLean of Ancram, N.Y., and Marcia MacLean of Asheville, N.C.

He also leaves nine grandchildren, Isaac, Micah, Jared and Kezia Rose; Lila and Rose MacLean, Keith MacLean Baker and Jesse and Katharine Luginbuhl, and four great-grandchildren, Natalie and Abigail Rose and Caitlin and Caleb Rose; as well as his cousins Willehmene Hall of Eaton, N.H., and Jesse Bears Halpin of West Ossipee, N.H.

Besides his first wife, Mr. MacLean is predeceased by a sister, Anne MacLean Callan Dittmer of Oveido, Fla.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the All Souls Church in West Brattleboro.

Memorial contributions as a tribute to Mr. MacLean may be made to All Souls Church, P.O. Box 2297, West Brattleboro, VT 05303, Green Mountain Dharma Center, P.O. Box 182, Hartland Four Corners, VT, or to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.u