Robert L. "Bob" Chasse

Robert L. Chasse 1945-2024
Bucksport- Robert L. Chasse passed away on March 15, 2024, at home surrounded by love. He was born July 27, 1945, in Castine, Maine, to Levite and Georgia (Gross) Chasse. His parents moved him and his two older brothers to Bucksport when he was two. He grew up in the Townsite where he made lifelong friendships, and it was here that Bob developed and nurtured his love of adventure. He and his friends spent many hours exploring their neighborhood and delving into nature, science and adventures that would set the tone for the rest of his life. Later in his childhood he became an accomplished downhill ski racer, sailor, and a lover of literature and science. He met the love of his life when he was 16 years old at an ice-skating party on Silver Lake and it would be along the shores of Silver Lake that he and Earlene would eventually settle on their farm to raise their son and daughter along with establishing Silveridge Farm. He had many passions, but it was Silveridge Farm that encompassed his heart and soul. The farm was where he could connect with his community during strawberry season, teach his children and his mostly teenage employees the value of a work ethic and, above all, it is where he could slip away into the forest to explore and reflect in the beauty and serenity of nature. In addition to being a farmer, he was an educator for 38 years and during this time he made important and lifelong friendships with colleagues and students alike. Many of those friendships stood the test of time and he was rewarded in the last weeks of his life not only to connect with but also to reconnect with some very important people he had met through teaching. Throughout his teaching career, he was invested in not only helping young adults realize their academic potential but also in wanting his students to realize their worth above and beyond grades and popularity. He made a point to capitalize upon the "teachable moment" in and out of the classroom, and many of those teachable moments were born from random classroom discussions and friendly conversations with friends and family. They were often rooted in politics, religion, current events, and history. He loved exploring thoughts and ideas with his students and sought to validate and respect their opinions. His career as an educator was not one, he initially sought but it became a fulfilling commitment allowing him to make a difference in other people's lives as they had in his. Outside of farming and teaching he loved to travel. He was an explorer. He and Earlene spent many vacations together and with friends discovering new places near and far. He enjoyed day trips and long road trips. Eventually, he overcame his fear of flying (with the help of pharmaceutical courage) and explored outside the United States and Eastern Canada. It wasn't until Jill Blume (now Von Scheffer) came to stay with the Chasse family as an exchange student from Germany, that he realized he needed to explore more of the world. He then gathered the courage to fly internationally. Jill became a family member Dad loved dearly and didn't get to see often enough. The two of them enjoyed many meaningful conversations and adventures here in the United States as well as Germany and Spain. When they weren't together, he held her quietly in a corner of his heart. For over twenty years, Bob and Earlene shared the joy of sailing on their sloop Simplicity. Their sailing adventures took them up and down the beautiful coast of Maine. Along the way they met and made many new friends. It was together with their boating friends; they shared the love of boating and adventures that can take place only on the water and with much laughter. While Bob was not a fussy man and certainly never put much thought into caring for material items, he was fastidious about taking care of his boat. In fact, the woodshed he built might have a sag (it does), the barns he built many years ago might not get finished (they didn't), but his boat was in tip top repair. He appreciated Simplicity's beautiful craftsmanship and her ability to cruise effortlessly through the water. Through Simplicity he found an awe-inspiring appreciation of physics, his boat, and the ocean. If there was one thing in his life that he held closest to his heart, it was his family. He was first a loving son, grandson, brother, cousin, and uncle. He then became a loving and well-loved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. There was never a time when his family questioned his love for them and his family's love for him will live on for generations to come. He taught us the value of patience, kindness, generosity, a sense of community, understanding our connection with nature and being a humanitarian. His children will never forget the adventures of skiing, hunting, fishing, working on the farm and road trips. They will also never forget his lessons that made them critical thinkers, understanding the value of maintaining connections with their community and of respecting others. His wife will forever be grateful for the love they shared, the life they built and the family they created. He will be held in his family's hearts forever. Bob was predeceased by his parents Levi and Georgie, his stepfather Walter Rayford Leach, his brothers Fred Chasse and John Chasse, stepbrothers Arlyn and Wayne Leach, Nephews Ken Chasse, David Leach and Christopher Cunningham, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Earlene (Cunningham) Chasse daughter of Barbara (Walker) and Earle Cunningham; his children Brent Chasse and wife Jenny, Suzanne Chasse Davis and husband Tom; grandchildren Meaghan Chasse Higham and husband Jacob, Patrick Davis and wife Danielle, Ben Chasse, Caroline Davis and Riley Chasse; great grandchildren Peyton, Blake and Avery Higham. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Brian Cunningham and daughters Kelly, April and Sarah; his brothers' families, including sister-in-law Mickey Chasse and niece Alyson, sister-in-law MaryLee Chasse and nephew John and niece Julie, and sister-in-law Betty Leach and nephew Kenneth. The family would like to thank the medical professionals, family and friends who provided support over the last few years as he fought two battles with cancer. A special thank you goes out to Dr. Sigrid Berg, Dr. Jiping Wang, Dr. James Cleary, Dr. Catherine Chodkiewicz, Dr. John Swalec, Danielle Fogg, Vickie Russell, Kate Porter, Brad Tuttle, and Courtney Wilcox. We have deepest appreciation for family friend Dr. Louie Cruz, who has been an ever-present supporter from the very beginning of Bob's cancer journey, and Bob's niece Alyson Chasse Rehwinkel who was here to provide love and support at the worst of times. A huge thank you to Phil Tardif, John Clapp, Holly Bertrand, and many others who took time out of their busy lives to come visit Bob during his final days to help ease his passing. Finally, we would like to thank St. Joseph's Home Health and Hospice who provided the support and encouragement
during the most difficult of moments. You are all appreciated more than you know. A celebration of life will be held this summer at the family's camp. For those who wish to remember Bob in a special way, please honor his memory by being kind to one another. Arrangements are under the care of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Services Bucksport. (mitchelltweedie-young.com)