Robert Clayton Faulkner was born in Haverhill on February 21, 1939, son of the late Frederick M. and G. Arlene Faulkner. He grew up attending Haverhill Schools and Tilton Grammar School, where he first found his love of music playing drums in the Tilton School Drum & Bugle Corps. His pursuit of learning continued throughout his life, taking him to Northeastern University, Merrimack College, Northern Essex Community College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the American Institute of Banking.

Robert was deeply engaged in the life of his community. He belonged to the Savings Bank Forum Association and the North Shore Consumer Credit Association, where he served as Auditor from 1976 to 1977. A longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Haverhill, he gave his time generously to various boards and organizations within the church. He was presently a member of the West Newbury Congregational Church and also was a proud Freemason, whose journey in the fraternity began in the Order of DeMolay, where he served as Past Master Counselor and earned the Degree of Chevalier. He went on to become a member and Past Master of Saggahew Lodge of Haverhill — an association that spanned so many decades that he was honored with his Past Master 50-year pin in a ceremony held at his own home.

During his years in Haverhill, Robert served as Treasurer of the East Parish Meeting House for seventeen years and Treasurer of the Invested Funds for a fraternal organization in the city. He was a member of the Greater Newburyport YWCA Pool Committee and gave freely of his time as a volunteer for the American Red Cross Cancer Crusade and the American Heart Fund.

A proud veteran, Robert served in the U.S. Navy for more than three years aboard the U.S.S. Taconic, flagship of the Amphibious Forces out of Norfolk, Virginia, and was honorably discharged as a Third Class Petty Officer. His service included active involvement in the crisis in Lebanon, and his ship later served as the communication link to the White House for President Eisenhower during his tour of Pakistan.

Robert built a long and steady career, spending twenty-five years with Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies. He also worked as Office Manager for Data Keypunch Service in Woburn, MA, and spent fifteen years as Senior Mortgage Officer at Newburyport Five Cent Savings Bank. Never one to slow down, in his later years he found purpose driving students with special needs for the Pentucket School District and the Amesbury School Department.

In 1983, Robert obtained his real estate license and went on to own and manage property throughout Haverhill, MA; Newburyport and Newbury, including Plum Island; and Bradford and West Newbury, MA.

Some of Robert's happiest memories were made outdoors — as a boy, summers on Country Pond, NH, and later at his beloved cottage, "Beachwood," on Plum Island Point, where he watched his own family grow up. In his later years, he found the same joy at his beautiful home in West Newbury.

Robert cherished traveling the world alongside his wife, Dianne. Together they explored Bermuda, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, California, Italy — including the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, and the Isle of Capri — Hawaii, Switzerland, Germany, St. Moritz, London, and Barbados. They wintered on Siesta Key and returned each fall to Martha's Vineyard. For more than twenty-eight years, Thanksgivings brought Robert together with family and many dear friends in Stowe, Vermont.

Robert leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Dianne Ramey (Blomquist) Faulkner, and the family he loved so dearly: his son Kenneth W. (Carolyn) of Brunswick, ME; his daughter Katrina Ann Gosselin (Brian) of Sandown, NH; his son William R. of Exeter, NH; and his stepmother, Julia Keosian Faulkner, of Groveland. He was a beloved grandfather to Elizabeth D. Faulkner of Los Angeles, CA, Justin W. Faulkner of Brunswick, ME, and Matthew T. Gosselin of Sandown, NH. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Janice L. Gallipeau of Atkinson, NH, and brother-in-law, Eric C. Blomquist of Plaistow, NH, along with many dear nieces, nephews, and friends — including those from his beloved monthly "Card Group."

Robert was predeceased by his older brother Howard and wife Katherine of Gorham, ME; brother, Frederick M. Faulkner, Jr. and wife Jacquelyn of West Newbury; his brother in-law, Reinhardt J. Gallipeau of Atkinson, NH; sister-in-law, Roberta Beaudoin Blomquist of Plaistow, NH; grandson in-law Daniel Zuker and his beloved Airedale, "Gunner."

Visitation with Masonic Saggahew Lodge ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 15, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, Haverhill, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Ceremony will begin at 12:00 PM. Interment with U.S. Navy Honors will follow at the Walnut Grove Cemetery, Kenoza Street, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers,contributions may be made to the West Newbury Congregational Church, 308 Main Street, West Newbury, MA 01985,  Independence Association, 3 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick, ME 04011 or Shriners Children's, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com