Robert T. Loney, 84, of Round Pond, passed away on March 5, 2017, surrounded by his wife, two daughters, and granddaughter. Born on December 7, 1932, Amsterdam, NY, son of Robert W. and Ruth Bremer Loney, he graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1954 with a BS in Civil Engineering and a commission as Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserve. Also, in 1954, he and Phyllis Ann Harper were married in Bala Cynwyd, PA.

He worked as a structural engineer for Goodkind & O’Dea in Montclair, NJ from 1957 to 1965, and Fay, Spofford & Thorndike Engineers in Boston, MA from 1965 until he retired as company President and CEO in 1995. He was principle designer for highway and railroad bridges in NY, DE, NJ, MA, ME, NH and CT, and was project manager for a section of Boston’s “Big Dig”, the Southwest Corridor Project, as well as many others. He was a Fellow and Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Among numerous awards and distinctions, he was invited, in 1989, to Nagoya, Japan, where he addressed the Japan Society of Civil Engineers

In the Air Force Reserve, Bob served as a navigator in the Military Air Transport Service, Dover AFB, DE, flying cargo and passengers to Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and bases in the Arctic. He was Instructor Navigator at Mitchel AFB, NY and McGuire AFB, NJ and a Standby Navigator in the Civilian Reserve Air Fleet. During active duty tours, he flew as navigator on airlift missions to Europe and Southeast Asia, and later served as Navigator Flight Examiner and Navigator Flight Commander in the 731st Military Airlift Squadron at Hanscom AFB, MA. During frequent Active Duty assignments, he flew cargo missions in C-124 “Globemasters” to Europe, Central America, Japan and South Vietnam. He retired from the Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1974.

As a licensed Private Pilot, Bob enjoyed every hour spent aloft in his Cessna 150.

From childhood, he always enjoyed “messing around with boats.” During summers while in college he sailed as an Ordinary Seaman in the Merchant Marine, and for many years held a USCG 50 Ton Master’s License. After a series of smaller boats, both power and sail, a cruising sailboat became a reality, and for the next forty years he and Phyllis, often accompanied by family and friends, sailed the coast of New England including cruises to Nova Scotia. A member of Cabadetis Boat Club in Round Pond, he was Commodore in 2009 and 2010.

He enjoyed travel, and with Phyllis, made trips around the US and to Canada, Mexico, Europe, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. For some years they were active scuba divers and had memorable dives in tropical destinations as well as in frigid New England waters.

Following 9/11, he joined the US Coast Guard Auxiliary where he was active as an instructor and boat crewman, and in 2008 and 2009, was Flotilla Commander at CG Station Boothbay Harbor. He was also a docent at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and took great pleasure in welcoming visitors from all over the world.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis; daughter, Kathryn Loney and son-in-law, Joe Walters of Charleston, SC; daughter, Ann Loney of Kingston, NY; granddaughter, Alexandra Phillips and partner, Jon Staples of Nashville, TN; sister-in-law, Judith Clemmer of Harrisburg PA and all her family.

An informal memorial service, followed by a gathering, will be held at 3pm, on Sunday, April 9th at the 1812 Farm in Bristol. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Natural Resources Defense Council and The Southern Poverty Law Center.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

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