Robert Polhemus
Plainfield — Robert W. Polhemus, 86, died peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, after a long term battle with Parkinson’s.
He was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., son of the late Lester Polhemus and Arlene (Bolles) Polhemus.
He is survived by his wife, Karen L. Polhemus; brother, Allen V. Polhemus of Uncasville; and a sister, Elizabeth Polhemus of Albion, R.I.; his children, Kathy Podmayer and her husband, Russell, of Winthrop, Wash., Susan Gilman and her husband, William, of Hatfield, Mass., Karen A. Polhemus of Branford and Deborah Tom and her husband, Wilton, of Kirkland, Wash.; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews; Karen’s family, Gail Porter of Florence, Mass., mother-in-law, her son, David Porter (deceased), sister-inlaw, Michele Harrington and her husband, Brian, of Florence, Mass., brother-in-law, Brian Hathaway and his wife, Suzanne, as well as nieces and a nephew.
Bob was active in Korea from Oct. 23, 1952 until Aug. 18, 1954 (1729 CO B 14th Eng BN C) when he was discharged to the Army reserves. He received a Bronze Service Star, a United Nations Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal while in the U.S. Army.
Bob attended Roosevelt High School in New York, Farmingdale State College, Long Island, N.Y., University of Vermont and Westfield State College, Massachsetts.
Bob worked at Electric Boat in Groton as an engineer for building submarines. He taught woodshop and math at Northampton High School in Northampton, Mass., taught math two summers at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass. and worked at Northampton Airport with his wife.
He enjoyed his time travelling with his wife, piloting his own airplanes and radio control planes, riding motorcycles as well as several other things together.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at the Dougherty Funeral Home, 595 Norwich Road/Rt. 12, Plainfield. Burial will be private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please send in any of your photos of Bob to P.O. Box 73, Plainfield, CT 06374-0073.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Yankee Flyers of CT, care of R. Bouchard, P.O. Box 247, Sterling, CT 06377 or to the Connecticut State Police Alumni Association (CSPAAA) to the attention of Treasurer, Karen L. Polhemus, P.O. Box 1945, Meriden, CT 064500899.