Robert Thomas Paul

Bath - Rev. Dr. Robert T. Paul, of Bath, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 18, 2018.  Reverend Paul was born in Highlands, NC on October 3, 1934 to Frank and Hazel Paul.  The second of five children, Bob always looked out for his siblings.  The family eventually moved to Caribou, Maine, where Bob met the love of his life, Dorothy, and they married on May 28, 1959.   Bob and Dorothy rounded out their family with two children, Connie and Michael.

Bob served a number of years in the US Army, teaching typing and acting as Chaplain’s assistant.  After leaving the Army, Bob went on to college at the University of Maine Presque Isle, earning a degree in education.  He taught English at schools in Washburn and Gray before taking a position in Canaan, NH as the elementary school principal.  In 1970 he accepted a position as principal of the K-8 school in Wiscasset, where he stayed until his retirement in the mid-1980’s.  Bob loved the kids and made a point to know every child by name within the first month of each school year.    He continued his education during these years, earning his Masters and Doctorate.

At an early age Bob gave his life to the Lord.  One of his greatest pleasures was sharing the gospel.  In 1981 he was ordained as a Baptist minister.   He served as part-time pastor to the United Baptist Church of South Jefferson (while still working full time as principal in Wiscasset).  After retiring from the school system, Bob served as full-time pastor to the First Baptist Church in Brooklin, Maine.   When Bob’s health became an issue he retired as a full-time pastor and he and Dorothy returned to their home in Bath.  He then served as interim pastor at the Litchfield Plains Baptist Church and churches in Nobleboro and Sabattus.  He also acted as a substitute pastor at area churches when needed. 

Bob was a member of Corliss Street Baptist Church in Bath.  He served on many committees over the years, including chair of the finance committee, chair of the Deaconate Board, was the Junior Choir director, and as moderator.  He enjoyed giving the devotions at the men’s breakfasts and usually gave the men quite a chuckle but always making a good point. 

Bob also enjoyed music.  Many nights would find the entire family around the piano, singing together.  He had a fine bass voice and shared his faith through his music.  For a number of years he and his friend Ted joined together as “The Ambassadors” and gave gospel music concerts throughout the midcoast area.  

Some of his family’s favorite memories of Bob include his love of gardening (especially his roses), his grumbling about losing to Dorothy when they played scrabble, his ability to be funny and silly (a perfect example was his dressing up as a hick in torn pants and straw hat and singing “there’s a hole in the bucket” at a school assembly), his favorite sweets – fudge and peach blossoms, how he loved watching the seals at Popham Beach, and his absolute drive to help everyone he could.  He will be sadly missed by his family because we love him so.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Waldo and Richard, and his sister Ethel.

Bob is survived by his wife Dorothy, his daughter Connie and husband Mike, his son Michael and fiancée Angela, his brother Roy, his grandchildren Rob and Darcey, his step-grandchildren Bobbi Jo and Doug, and 9 great-grandchildren. 

An hour of visiting will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 1:00 – 2:00pm with a funeral service held at 2:00pm at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High Street, Bath. Following the funeral service, everyone is invited to the Corliss Street Baptist Church Annex for light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations be made to the Corliss Street Baptist Church, 402 Middle Street, Bath, ME 04530.

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com

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