Robert M. Chambers

August 9, 2021

"I have many titles in my long life - Son, Graduate, President of my various companies, President of University of New Brunswick Alumni Association, Chairman of the Board of Bank of Maine, President of Maine Auto Dealers Association, Secretary of South Portland Kiwanis Club, serving on many business and not-for-profit boards and some I am sure I have forgotten. But the one that's been the most important to me, bringing me Love and Joy, is being "Grampie."
~ Bob Chambers, 2020

When Robert M. Chambers - a loving husband, father, and grandfather of Naples, Florida, passed away at 85, after a long battle with cancer. He left behind a legacy of leadership, professionalism, and unselfish dedication, but overall his love is in everyone's hearts. Bob, born and raised in St. John, New Brunswick, served as an air cadet pilot during high school (Saint John High) and was the first in his family to attend college. He was a proud alumnus of the University of New Brunswick, where he served as an avid life-long volunteer.

Bob married his wife, Carol Kervin, in 1960. They started their lives together in Saint John but soon made the bold decision to emigrate to Maine, where he began his accounting career at Ernst & Ernst in Portland and earned his CPA. He worked in several accounting positions in southern Maine, eventually landing a job with auto dealer Dick Wolf in South Portland, who took Bob under his wing. Having interned for Ford Motor Company in Toronto for two summers during University, Bob loved the industry and jumped at the chance to buy a struggling Ford dealership in Augusta in 1972. He was a natural entrepreneur, eventually owning nine automobile franchises in Maine and New Hampshire, the largest after-market body parts distributorship in Northern New England, and Budget Rental Car locations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Bob and Carol raised their two children in Augusta, and Carol later returned to nursing at Augusta General Hospital. Always active in the community, Bob volunteered and served on many boards and not-for-profit organizations. Bob and Carol were also active members in the Green Street Methodist Church in Augusta and North Naples Methodist Church in Naples, FL. Bob valued education and, at the age of 60, took a sabbatical where he and Carol moved to Toronto with their springer spaniel, Mandy, for a semester where Bob enrolled at the University of Toronto. Bob enjoyed taking bike trips in Ireland, playing golf with friends, and extensive travel with his wife and family. He was keenly interested in his Irish heritage and devoted time to genealogy and visits to Northern Ireland, where he developed long-term relationships with his Chambers cousins.

Though proud of the companies he built, Bob's greatest joy was his four granddaughters, Evelyn and Grace Chambers, and Kathryn "Kali" and Anya Brown. He and Carol were ever so proud and delighted in being with them at their home in Maine, sharing stories of their Canadian childhoods, traveling widely with them, supporting their academic and athletic endeavors, and being with them on countless vacations in Naples, where Bob and Carol made their permanent home upon retirement.

Besides his wife, Carol, he is survived by his daughter Wendy Chambers Brown and her husband Win of Westford, MA; his son, David of Portland, ME; his four awesome granddaughters, Evelyn and Grace Chambers of Hanover, NH, and Kali and Anya Brown of Westford, MA; daughter-in-law, Sloane Mayor of Hanover, NH; and wonderful Canadian and Irish cousins whom he loved and cherished.

Due to the pandemic, a private memorial service will be held at a future date. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Manchester. To view Robert's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Robert M. Chambers Memorial Scholarship
Office of Development & Donor Relations
University of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 4400
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 Canada
https://www.unb.ca/giving/
1-844-968-0039