Obituary of Robert S. Whited

Robert “Spruce” Stephen Whited

August 19, 1944 - November 29, 2024

Robert “Spruce” S. Whited of Searsport, ME passed away on November 29, 2024, at the age of 80.

Spruce was born on August 19, 1944 in Harrisburg, PA and raised by Harry Albert Whited and Nancie Jane Putt. He graduated from Central Dauphin High School in 1963.

From 1963 to 1966 Spruce worked in a clothing and shoe factory, in Harrisburg. He also spent some time driving truck, which he loved. In 1968 after a short stay in the Big Apple he went to Boston. While in Boston, Spruce did trip counseling with Project Place.

In the early 1970’s Spruce took a trip across country with his first wife to California. California was not to his liking, so he returned to Boston where he continued his work with leather. Spruce heard about Maine from friends and his brother, so he decided to move to Unity, Maine in 1972. Once there he set up a leather shop.

He remarried in 1979, still doing leather work, running a tack shop and living on a farm with his second wife. Spruce loved history and valued patriotism. He participated for many years in Civil War Reenactments with his family around Maine.

He ended up living in southern Maine for many years and eventually found a job working as a security guard at the Portland Library. In 2001, he met the love of his life, Lydia.

In 2009 they decided to take their 25 foot sailboat, Lana’s Fault, south to live in a warmer climate. They ended up in Baltimore, MD for a few years before moving back to Maine and settling in his favorite coastal town, Searsport.

In his retirement years, he volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Portland, ME, Baltimore, MD and Belfast, ME as a teacher of Coastal Navigation and Boat Crew classes.

With his fiery red hair, cowboy hat and boots, he was hard to miss. Spruce had a insatiable taste for adventure. He loved road trips, roller coasters and boating of any kind. He was always excited for a new project, whether it be leather or woodworking, cleaning his guns or whatever his family needed a hand with. He loved to tell stories, give advice and talk about politics. He had a tremendous faith in God and loved his church family. He was not afraid to love people and he lived his life with a fearless heart. He always said “It is not the destination, but the journey that matters”.

He is predeceased by his father Harry “Bloody Bud” Albert Whited and his niece Tatiana Leitzel.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia R. Caron of Searsport, ME. His mother, who is 101 years old, Nancie Jane Whited of Harrisburg, PA. His twin brother, Richard M. Whited of Farmington, ME and his younger brother Jon Whited of Harrisburg, PA. His children; Seth Whited of Searsport, ME, Tucker Whited of Unity, ME, Gabe McNeill of Portland, ME, Galen Whited of Thomaston, ME, Ethan Whited of Searsmont, ME and Sophie Engstrom of Searsport, ME. He was known as “Pap” to his many grandchildren, had many nieces and nephews and will be missed greatly by his cats, Shadow and his beloved Midnight.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 11, 2025 at 1PM at the Cornerstone Bible Baptist Church in Stockton Springs, ME. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Maine Health Home Health and Hospice Sussman House is suggested by the family.