“TOPSHAM — Captain James Robert (Bob) Sheets passed away May 22, 2006, at home on Abenaki Drive, with his family and friends by his side. He had been battling the effects of pulmonary fibrosis for many years.

He was born in Akron, Ohio, the son of Loren K. and Margie Allen Sheets.

He was educated in West Virginia schools and graduated from Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) in 1954. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Kappa Fraternity.

He married Joan Mendel, and they celebrated their 51st anniversary in October.

He received his commission in the Navy in 1954 and served on a coastal mine-sweeper before going to flight training in Pensacola. He was then assigned to VP23 from 1958 to 1962. After two years at the Naval Security Station in Washington, D.C., he reported to VP21 as maintenance officer.

He was selected to go to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., in the Command and Staff College then reported to Commander Fleet Air Keflavik, Iceland, where he was instrumental in setting up the first Tactical Support Center. In conjunction with this job, he traveled to Scotland, England and Norway as part of NATO. Much to his delight, he was selected to Command VP10 where he deployed to Bermuda, the Azores and Spain.

The next four years found the family in Naples, Italy, where he was on the MARAIRMED staff and then on the NATO staff as “”The Number Two Turk”” to a Turkish admiral. It was in Naples that he was selected to the rank of captain and ordered to the Naval War College as president of the senior course.

The Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, Pa., was his next assignment as chief of staff. Crystal City, Va., then became his office as fire and safety officer for the Navy, and from there he retired.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reloading for his friends, teaching hunter safety and being with his family and friends. He was a lifetime member of NRA and the Lisbon Fish and Game Association. Bob was a member of Ashla Lodge Masons in Auburn. He was a loving, supportive husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Teri Griffin of Rathdrum, Idaho, Brigitte Moler of Topsham, Karen Moody of Harpswell; and one son, Brian Sheets of Portland; six grandsons, one granddaughter and one great-grandson.

Memorial services were held at West Harpswell Baptist Church on Route 123 on May 30 at 7 p.m.
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