Donald E. Hobbs

Donald Earle Hobbs, 92
BAR HARBOR - Donald Earle Hobbs, 92, died peacefully on Sept. 9, 2015, surrounded by his family. Don was born on April 23, 1923, in Portland, the son of Earle and Esther (Coolbroth) Hobbs. He graduated from Deering High School in 1941 and attended the University of Maine for one year before enlisting in the Army to fight in WWII. After the war, he returned to UMaine and graduated in 1949. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. On Sept. 9, 1950, he married the love of his life, Martha Fogler. He then went to the University of Denver and received his Master's degree in public management. They traveled to Kansas City, Mo., where Don was an intern in the city manager office for a year, then back to Maine to be town manager of Waldoboro for three years. He took the position as Bar Harbor's town manager in 1955 and remained in Bar Harbor for the rest of his life. Don joined Fred C. Lynam & Co. and was a partner for 30 years.
He much loved Bar Harbor's Congregational Church where he was a Trustee and a member of the choir. For over 40 years, he enjoyed playing clarinet in the town band. Don was an active community member and served on many boards and committees such as Bar Harbor Water Company, the YMCA and the library. He was one of the founding members of the MDI Rotary Club and was made a Paul Harris Fellow. He had a close relationship with MDI Hospital where he was a trustee and twice was an interim CEO. Don was the kind of man that didn't just live in a community; he was the kind of man that got involved in the community.
Above all else, Don was a family man. His devotion to Martha was second to none. To his children, he was a loving, caring, kind and generous Dad. And that love was extended to his daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchild and any and all family members.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Earle and Esther Hobbs of Portland. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Martha; sister Joyce and her husband Jim Walsh of Yarmouth; son Jeff and his wife Sharon of Bar Harbor, daughter Caroline of Enfield, N.H., son Andrew and his wife Alma, San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren include Jefferson and his wife Liz, and great-granddaughter Emmy of Hamilton, Mass., granddaughter Crystal and her partner Jon Merchant and his daughter Anna of Bar Harbor. He is also survived by brother-in-law John Fogler of Exeter, and sister-in-law Sally Fogler of Brunswick; many nieces and nephews; their children; and grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 14, at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, 29 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor, with the Rev. Robert Benson presiding. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the parish hall following the service. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.

Those who wish to remember Don in a special way, may make
memorial contributions to the
Bar Harbor Congregational Church
29 Mt. Desert St.
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
or the
Mt. Desert Island Hospital
10 Wayman Lane
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609