Robert Elden Pelkie, 86, of Laconia, NH, passed away on March 27, 2018 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born May 16, 1931 in Wilton, ME.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Jacqueline Ann (Theall) Pelkie of Laconia, NH.
He was predeceased by his father, Garfield Pelkie, mother, Olive, and older brother, Garfield Jr.
He is survived by his younger brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Lorraine Pelkie of Glens Falls, NY, and by five sons and their spouses: Chris Pelkie and Martha Lyon of Ithaca, NY, Craig and Teresa Pelkie of Valley Center, CA, Brian Pelkie and Lynda Swart of Fort Myers, FL, Daren and Amanda Pelkie of Oxford, NC, Devon Pelkie and Barbara Richey of Bellingham, WA and grandchildren: Travis Pelkie of Vestal, NY, Bridget Pelkie of Boston, MA, US Navy Lt. Alessandra Petty stationed in Bahrain, Preston Pelkie of Concord, NC, Brenden and Fiona Pelkie of Bellingham, WA, Carrigan, Xander, and Aunika Pelkie of Oxford, NC.
Jackie, Allie, and Fiona were at his side at the end. He passed peacefully.
Clarence writes: Robert was one of the kindest people I have ever met. From taking care of five young boys to always assisting his wife to making a commitment to his beloved IBM, Robert always gave his full effort. His passion for photography was well-known both at the Taylor Home and in the Laconia area. He will be missed.
Craig remarks: Dad was a tremendous man and example, and we were very fortunate to have him as our father.
Brian recalls: I remember working with Dad remodeling the Owego, NY, house. We had to go in a crawl space under the floor to install insulation. Very tight, couldn't turn, must crawl. He got hung up on a nail so couldn't move and all he remembers about the incident is I couldn't help him cause I was laughing too hard. We did finally break free and finished but that is how the story still gets told. And many great Boy Scout experiences.
Daren remembers: Dad was a UNH graduate and retired from IBM after 30 years as an electrical engineer. He is credited with earning several patents for the company through his inventions and IBM sent him to both Germany and Sweden as a consultant on his areas of expertise.
Robert enjoyed sports, with a particular fondness for Boston’s teams. He played softball in IBM and church leagues for years, and took up swimming after the age of 80, completing the mile swim more than 625 times, including a stretch of 76 days in a row only last fall of 2017. His highlight, though, was having the opportunity to play in Boston Garden with his Laconia business college team.
Devon tells an anecdote: Dad was telling us on Saturday about asking Mum (Jackie) to the senior prom, going up to her house for a dance lesson. She was two hours late in getting home, had been at the nearby city park swim beach but her friend had lost the car keys. He said “We went to the prom, danced, and have been dancing ever since.”
Chris remembers: the finest act of kindness I’ve ever heard of, outside the many Dad performed, was granddaughter Allie’s successful petition of the Boy Scouts of America to finally award Dad his First Class Scout badge at age 85, once he had completed many of his mile swims. This honor had eluded him as a boy because his mother feared the water and never let her boys learn to swim, and that mile swim was the one requirement he could not meet. He was so thrilled to finally receive that badge. Dad was an avid assistant Scoutmaster for all five of us and positively influenced many other boys in Troop 202 of Endicott, NY, where we grew up. I remember that in our house, we built every TV, hi-fi, and radio from Heathkits: we boys had to learn resistor codes since Dad was color-blind! But all those devices worked when we were done, one of the many acts of real manhood he taught us: learn to do anything and be independent and proud of your accomplishments. Dad touched the lives of all who he came in touch with even for the moment of holding a door for a stranger or any other small act of kindness. A true gentleman, without pretense, ignoring 2000 years of misinterpretation by mere mortals, he simply lived what Jesus taught. In his presence, you comprehended the true meaning of grace.
Private Services will be held at a later date.
For those who wish the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.