Robert Randall Dole

Robert (Bob) Randall Dole, 84, a life long resident of Claremont, NH passed away on March 4, 2009 surrounded by his family and friends at the Veterans Hospital in White River Junction, Vermont. He was born in Claremont, NH March 1, 1925, the son of Francis (Super) A. Dole and Carrie B. (Franklin) Dole. He married Rita C. Curtis August 24, 1946 and had two children. On March 11, 1970 he married Claire M. (Lemieux) Davis. He was a 1943 graduate of Stevens High School where he was a three star athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. After graduating high school he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the 168th Engineer Battalion fighting at the Battle of the Bulge. He and his battalion were awarded 5 battle stars plus the Croix de Guerre; France's highest honor to men of French and Allied forces during World War II. He played semi-pro baseball and basketball with the Claremont AC and Hartford Indians. He owned and operated the Highway Lunch Stand on Washington Street in the late 1950's. He was a long time member of the Claremont Country Club and served as the pro there in 1959. He raised and trained hunting dogs, and was an avid hunter and trapper. For 10 years he was a professional guide, hunting deer, bear, boar, and bobcat in NH, VT, and ME and was also a long time member of the NRA. He was a member of the Claremont Lions Club and served as King Lion and as a director of Lions International. He helped co-found youth baseball in Claremont and in 1962 helped build and operate the local Ski Area known as Arrowhead. He was a Charter Member of the Shugah Valley Snow Riders and the Sullivan County Sportsmen Club where he served as their President for 10 years and headed their Game Suppers. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 29. After 25 years as a building contractor he retired in 1985 and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting coyotes with dogs, and gardening. He enjoyed his family and friends, and loved being around his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers Lester and David Dole, and a son Robert Davis. Surviving family members: Wife Claire Dole, a son Ross Dole and wife Jill of Unity, NH. Daughters, Rebecca Gordon and husband Jim of Hendersonville, N.C., Diane McGoun and husband Mike of Wilmington, N.C., Marie Desfosses and husband Ken of Webster, N.H. and Carol Kanto and her husband Richard of Claremont, N.H. A brother Charles Dole and wife Elinor of Northampton, MA and is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 14th at 11:00AM at the Union Episcopal Church on Old Church Road, Claremont, NH. A reception will immediately follow the services. Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of NH in Manchester, NH www.csnh.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the VA Hospice Suite Fund at the V.A. Medical Center, 215 North Main Street, WRJ, VT 05009.