Robert E. Buchanan

LEWISTON – Robert E. Buchanan, 86, a life long resident of Auburn died Friday, December 5th at Central Maine Medical Center. He was born at Central Maine Medical Center then known as Central Maine General Hospital in Lewiston on July 15, 1922, the son of Lemuel Hazlewood Buchanan and Nellie Chute-Smith Buchanan. Robert was a 1940 graduate of Edward Little High School, 1948 graduate of Bentley College, attended the Auburn Maine School of Commerce, and was awarded a BBA Degree by the University of Maine at Augusta in 1988. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II serving as a bombardier-navigator on a B-25 aircraft in the Southwest Pacific Theater. After the war he served in the United States Air Force Reserve retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1968 after 25 years from when he first entered active duty. He was employed as an internal auditor by NEPSCO Services, then served as office manager and credit manager at Lewiston Gas and Light Company from 1949 to 1967. He then began his 20 year association with CMMC as Controller and Director of Finance, later Vice President for Finance, and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Central Maine Healthcare Corporation retiring in 1987. Following retirement both he and his wife, Bette wintered in New Smyrna Beach, Florida for many years. He was a trustee and secretary treasurer of the Dr.Gard W. Twaddle Nurse’s Endowment Fund, and a trustee and treasurer of the CMMC School of Nursing. Also, a member and former treasurer, director, and president of the Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club and past Lieutenant-Governor of Division 23, New England District of Kiwanis International. He was a past councilor and chaplain emeritus of Twin City Council #160 , United Commercial Travelers of America, and past president of its Past Councilors’ Association. He was a member of the Maine Hospital Association, the New England Hospital Assembly, and the American Hospital Association. He was a member, former director, treasurer, and past president of the Maine Chapter, Healthcare Financial Management Association, in which he held the professional designations of Fellow and Certified Manager of Patient Accounts. He was a co-founder and past president of Hospital Services, Inc., in Augusta. He served as a commissioner of the Auburn Housing Authority. He was a member of Ancient Brothers Lodge, A.F. & A.M., the Scottish Rite Bodies, and Kora Temple, AAONMS. He was a member and former vestryman and treasurer of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn. He was a life member of Post 1603, VFW, and a life member of the United States Air Force 500th Bomb Squadron Association. On June 16, 1951, he married the former Bette J. Baumann who survives him as do three children; Mary A Smith and her husband, Thomas A. Smith, Thomas R. Buchanan; and Andrew E. Buchanan and his wife, Denise. 5 grandchildren, Bradley Buchanan, Justin Goulet, Sarah J. Smith, Catherine M. Smith, and Crystal W. Buchanan; 4 great grandchildren, Alexander Whitmore, Rebekah Buchanan, Aislynn Goulet, and Sophia L. DeAngelo. Also surviving is his brother, Richard K. Buchanan and his wife, Jean of Deland, Florida. BUCHANAN died in Lewiston, December 5, 2008, Mr. Robert E. Buchanan age 86 years a lifelong resident of Auburn. Funeral services honoring Robert’s life will be celebrated WEDNESDAY, December 10th at 11:00AM at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn concluding with military honors. Spring burial in the family lot at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Robert’s memory may be made to either the Central Maine Medical Endowment Fund or to the CMMC School of Nursing Main St., Lewiston, ME 04240. Friends and family are invited to visit Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8PM with Masonic Services beginning at 7:30PM at DILLINGHAM & SON MEMORIAL CHAPEL 62 Spring St., Auburn, 784-6449