Robert H. Rawson ’62

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Robert H. Rawson, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed on to his next adventure on Monday, April 27.

Bob was born April 24, 1941, to William Whitney Rawson Sr. and Elizabeth White Rawson of Auburn. He was a graduate of St. Dominic High School and achieved Eagle Scout prior to attending Maine Maritime Academy, Class of 1962, earning a USCG Marine Engineering License.

Bob chaired the Alumni House Fund at MMA in 1976, building a large addition for his alma mater, and mentored many in their pursuit of their respective engineering fields or the path they chose to follow, notably his nephews, Bill and Brian, as well as dear friends, Jeff Nors, Josh Domingo, Fugi Fugio-White and Kaan Akyalcin. Jerri affectionately named these friends “Bob’s Boys.”

An avid hunter, fisherman and sportsman, Bob was often found slalom water-skiing on Kezar Lake in Maine with a glass of scotch and cigarette in hand, and he never spilled a drop. He was champion trap-shooter, gourmet chef and fine wood carver. He spent many years of his career sailing the seven seas as chief engineer on super tankers. He eventually retired and became a consultant and port engineer in the private sector.

His love of travel, a good book, art and music will be honored by good friend, Ben Martinez, at the Corpus Christi Jazz Festival in October 2015.

Bob was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Normand, George and Bill; his second wife, Carol Rawson; and his very good friend, Rich DePalma.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Moody, her husband, Skip, and their three children, Meghan, Patrick and Connor; stepdaughter, Aimee Willis and husband, Daniel and their children; his ex-wife, Joan Rawson; his significant other of nine years, Jerri Leonard and her daughter, Lana Watson and husband, Tom; brother, Paul Rawson and wife, Cheryl; nephews, Bill Rawson and Brian Rawson; nieces, Nancy Rawson Burke and Diane Rawson, and their mother, Jacqueline Rawson.

His friends and family will miss him, but will celebrate his presence, guidance, affection and generosity of spirit. We shall continue on, knowing he “did it his way, all the way.”