NEW BEDFORD - Robert H. Lawton, 81, son of the late Albert W. Lawton, Jr., died unexpectedly on Monday August 11, 2003. He was a resident of Brookville, Florida but was vacationing with family in Fairhaven at the time of his death. He is also the brother of the late Frederick W. Lawton and Albert E. Lawton. Along with his wife Helen (Loungo) Lawton of 49 years, he is survived by his daughter, Michelle Brouillard and her husband Robert; a granddaughter, Amanda Sanuth and her husband Matthew; and a 6 month old great-grandson, Peyton Sanuth all of New Hampshire; a grandson Nicolas Persijn of Germany, two great-grandsons Joab and Elijah Persijn; His mother, A. Florence Larson of Fairhaven; and two sisters, Barbara (Lawton) Foley and her husband Ronald of Fairhaven; and Wandeyene (Lawton) Wagner and her husband Jon, of Livermore, California; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr.Lawton served for four years in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a medical supply officer at the U.S. Army Murphy General Hospital in Texas achieving the rank of Sargeant. He retired as head dormitory custodian from Brandeis University several years ago.
Mr. Lawton and his wife moved to Florida five years ago but his roots were in this area where his family fondly refered to him as the Pied Piper for his unfailing ability to connect and interact with children of all ages.
All Mr. Lawton's arrangements were handled privately.