Robert Chase Hazelwood

HAMPDEN - Robert C. Hazelwood, was born July 14, 1924, and died May 7, 2013, surrounded by his family.

Bob grew up with a love of fishing and a love of the lakes and streams of Washington County. He passed this love on to his children and grandchildren. He enlisted after Pearl Harbor, training as a U.S. Navy pilot. Some claim that George H. Bush was the youngest officer in the Pacific during the war, but actually, Bob was. He flew reconnaissance in the Pacific Theater. He flew many missions and was shot down at Okinawa, Japan, receiving both the Distinguished Flying Cross and Navy Air Medal. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in agriculture from University of Maine, Orono, he had a distinguished and varied career. Always looking to be of help, and having strongly held views, he served his community, county, and the state of Maine as a small business administration counselor, as chair of the Washington County Republic party, and as a 12-year commissioner of Land Use Regulatory Commission. He helped his friends, family and neighbors by always asking "How can I help?," and backing up his words with action. He believed in serving the common good in ways large and small. Serving in public office and filling in potholes and clearing brush for the neighborhood roads he lived on, often roping in grandchildren to help in the task. As children and grandchildren married, he welcomed spouses as if they were additional children and grandchildren, taking pride in everyone's accomplishments. He will be missed by his family and his friends.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Pete, John and Jim; and sister, Florence. He lost a beloved daughter, Patricia Grant Hazelwood (Moore), in 1980. He is survived by wife, Shirley Hazelwood; two daughters, Jean Lawlis of Hampden and Nancy Sprague of Grand Lake Stream; and six grandchildren, Dr. Meagan Moore and husband, Dr. Daniel Desrosiers, of New Haven, Conn., Alexander Moore of Tampa, Fla., Jody Moore of Marion, Mass., Lydia Hazelwood Gerold and husband, Chris Gerold, of Hampden, David Lawlis of Boston, and Robert Lawlis Jr. and wife, Dr. Sonya Lawlis, of Ithaca, N.Y.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. May 18 at Union Congregational Church, Grand Lake Stream. Interment with military honors will be after. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare of Maine, 33 Whiting Hill Road, Brewer, ME 04412.