Robert Howes Pawle

FALMOUTH Robert Howes Pawle, 90, died peacefully April 3, 2017 in his home in Falmouth, Maine. Known by many as “Dr. Pawle”, he preferred to be called “Robby.” He led a distinguished career as a physician and committed himself to providing competent and compassionate care to his patients. Robby was a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Many were also blessed to know him as a friend, colleague, classmate, doctor, and fellow boater.

Born on March 22, 1927 in Boston, MA, to Reginald Brooks Pawle and Mary Jewett Pawle, Robby attended public school in Lowell, MA, and graduated from Lowell High School in 1944. He was a veteran of the Second World War and the Korean War, serving first in the Navy and later in the Air Force.

Perhaps the most significant event of his childhood was meeting his wife-to-be, Martha Anne “Pete” Boynton, while vacationing at Five Islands, ME with family friends from Lowell; a lifelong love was kindled. He later attended Harvard University, graduated in 1949, and married Pete that same year. They remained happily married for 55 years until Pete’s death in 2005.

Robby began his medical career at Tufts Medical School, from which he graduated in 1953. Following medical school, he joined the inaugural class of the Family Medicine residency program at Denver General Hospital in Denver, CO. After completing his medical training in 1956, he and Pete moved their family to Steep Falls, ME, where he was the first doctor at the newly-opened Center Memorial Clinic.

In 1960, the Pawle family moved to Falmouth, ME, where Robby began what eventually became a 50-year career as a well-respected private practitioner of Family Medicine. He was a tireless advocate for Family Medicine and, in 1970 was certified in the specialty, which was the first year that the American Medical Association recognized the Family Medicine specialty. He served as Chief of the Department of General Practice at Maine Medical Center from 1964 to 1973. He also served as a staff physician at both Mercy Hospital and Maine Medical Center, caring for countless patients. For many years, he also served as a Medical Examiner for the State of Maine. Robby found deep fulfillment in his career as a physician, and was remembered by many of his patients for providing them with primary care treatment that was on the leading edge of medical standards and practices in place at the time.

Family and friends were a great source of joy and meaning for Robby. He thoughtfully raised five children with Pete, and later delighted in the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also remained close with his sister, Nancy Pawle, of San Francisco, CA, who survives him. He opened his home to family and friends from England to Australia and points in between, to medical residents and their families, and to sailing instructors at the nearby yacht club, among many others. He nurtured deep ties with various community.

organizations, and was a prominent figure in many. He was especially devoted to the State Street Church in Portland, ME, where he and Pete had been married; he was a longtime member of the church and served in many leadership positions there.

Robby was a sailor at heart, who loved cruising and exploring the Maine coast with Pete at the helm of their sloop, the “Mrs. Higgenbottom.” He and Pete also enjoyed many summer vacations at the family cottage at Five Islands, ME. He was a member of the Portland Yacht Club, serving as Fleet Surgeon for several years. He enthusiastically volunteered for the Maine Island Trail Association for 25 years, helping to preserve the beauty of Maine’s coast. In 2007, Robby was awarded the prestigious Margaret C. Emerson award as the MITA volunteer of the year.

His memory will be treasured by his five children Reginald and his wife Sazumi of Bangkok, Thailand, George of Wenham, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Armstrong and her husband Robert of Greenbelt, Maryland, Emily Bugbee and her husband Alvin of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and Laura Pawle and her husband Juan Gorlier of Cambridge, Massachusetts; by his eight grandchildren Amy Pawle, Robert Pawle, Reginald Pawle, Minina Armstrong Duncan, Marie Armstrong, and Ellen Armstrong, Rachel White Sears, and Gloria White O’Meara; step-grandson Alvin Bugbee, Jr.; and by his five great-grandchildren Alexa Bugbee, Lucy O’Brien, Ola Pawle, Norunn Pawle, and Maple Sears.

A service in celebration of Robby’s life will be held at State Street Church in Portland on Monday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his name may be given to the Maine Island Trail Association, 58 Fore St., Ste. 30-3, Portland, ME 04101.

Arrangements under the direction of Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth, ME.