KINGSTON, NH: Robert M. Beekler, 81, formerly of Haverhill, passed away on March 10, 2020 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Robert was the beloved husband of Barbara J. (Platts) Beekler.
Born in Haverhill on December 24, 1938, he was the son of the late Martin V. and Alice (MacNeill) Beekler.
Soon after high school, Robert joined the Navy and served with the Heavy Attack Squadron as an Aviation Electronics Technician before his honorable discharge in 1963.
Barbara and Bob were married in August 1964, and moved to Meriden, CT. True to his entrepreneurial spirit, he there realized his goal of owning his own business, 1-2-3 Auto Wash. As his family grew they returned home in 1968 to live in Bradford. He had a successful thirty-five year career operating a laminating machine for Vernon Plastic before retirement.
Robert was an outdoorsman who loved walking, and fishing in area lakes and ponds. He also had a love for "tinkering" with electronics and solving puzzles, especially Sudoku. Quality family time was spent travelling New England, visiting beaches, parks, and mountains, as Bob and Barbara enjoyed exploring with their children. He was a devoted father and son who steadfastly checked in on his step-mother, Oneitta, until her passing. Besides his wife Barbara of fifty-five years, Robert is survived daughters, Diane E. Beekler of Newbury, MA, Cheryl A. Berhane and her husband Isaac of Derry, NH; grandchildren, Alayna J. Isaac and Jamison R. Isaac; brother, Larry Beekler and his wife Sarah of Maine; step-sisters, Doris Fraser and her husband Alister of Brentwood, NH, Joanne Leppard of Concord, NH, and several nieces and nephews. He was the step-brother of the late Earl Gifford and wife Shirley of Haverhill, MA.
Arrangements under the direction of Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main Street, Haverhill will be held later in the spring. Online condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com