OAKLAND — Robert P. Hooper, 81, died peacefully at his home Aug. 15, 2015, after a period of declining health.

Born in Rockland on Sept. 12, 1933, he was the son of Isaac and Ethel Watts Hooper. Educated in Rockland schools, he was a 1951 graduate of Rockland High School. He later earned an Associates Degree in Agriculture at the University of Maine IN Orono.

In 1955, Robert married Helen McClain in Thomaston. Together the family built their home, their son's home and their daughter's home.

For more than 38 years, he worked as a locomotive engineer with Maine Central Railroad. He worked trains out of Rockland, Portland and Waterville, retiring in 1995 from the railroad that had become Guilford Transportation Company.

More than anything, Robert enjoyed his family and grandchildren. He was always happiest when involved in anything they were doing.

In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen, in 2011; and two brothers, Cleo and Arnold Hooper. He is survived by his daughter, Lucretia Hooper of Belgrade; his son, Joel Hooper and his wife, Marti of Mercer; as well as two grandchildren, Megan and Isaac Hooper.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A reception will follow at the funeral home's 104 Limerock reception center. Interment will follow in Village Cemetery in Thomaston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Maine, 383 U.S. Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.