Robert S. Fellows

1915 - 2015

PETERBOROUGH - Robert S. Fellows, 100, of Peterborough, died on Nov. 7, 2015 at Rivermead in the loving presence of his wife and daughter. Robert was born on Jun. 30, 1915 in Manchester, the son of John S. Fellows and Bertha (Francis) Fellows.

Robert's military experience included five years of active duty in the U.S. Army Air Force, and 15 years in the Reserves. A graduate of R.O.T.C. at the University of New Hampshire, he entered active duty as a Second Lieutenant and was honorably discharged as a Lt. Colonel. Robert was Squadron Commander of the 45th Service Squadron at Grenier Field in Manchester. In 1943, he took his squadron to England. Later, he reported to the 4th Fighter Group at Debden. Finally, he graduated from the British Civil Affairs Staff Officers School in Wimbledon, England and served in Allied Military Government in Germany at the height of World War II.

After earning a B.S. degree from the U.N.H. Whittier School of Business, Robert graduated from Rutgers University Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He was Trust Officer and Assistant Cashier at the Plymouth National Bank in Plymouth, Mass. (1948-1953), Trust Officer and Cashier of the former First National Bank of Peterborough (1953-1959), Cashier of the former Amoskeag National Bank in Manchester (1959-1962), and C.E.O. of both the former Exeter Banking Company in Exeter (1962-1968) and the Glastonbury Bank and Trust Company in Glastonbury, Conn. (1968-1976). Buying his first shares of stock at age 18, he always had a passion for investing. He retired to Peterborough in 1976.

Robert married Carolyn Chase of Manchester on Sept. 6, 1947. Sharing with her a love for community, he was highly active in Congregational (UCC) churches, Rotary Clubs, and other civic organizations wherever he lived. Avidly interested in forestry and conservation, he was Chairman of the Rural Area Development Committee of Rockingham County and the Conservation Commission of Exeter. He was also Treasurer of the Great Meadow Conservation Trust in Connecticut. A lover of walks in the woods and tree farming, he donated much of his own land in Peterborough to conservation easement.

Robert was probably the longest surviving continuous summer resident of Moody Beach, Maine. For a period of years he and his wife were winter residents of Sarasota, Fla.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Carolyn (Chase) Fellows; his three children: Rev. Robert C. Fellows of Greenland, N.H. Marilyn Fellows Kellogg of Kingston, N.H. and James D. Fellows of St. Augustine, Fla. and his sister, Mary (Fellows) Jordan of Goffstown, N.H. He will also be missed by his six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Robert was predeceased by his brothers John O. Fellows and William F. Fellows, and his nephew John H. Fellows.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord Street, Peterborough. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Robert's name to Monadnock Conservancy, 15 Eagle Court, Keene, N.H. 03431. To leave online condolences, go towww.jellisonfuneralhome.com.