UNION – Robert Salo, 69, passed peacefully after a brief illness, August 2, 2017, in Rockport, with his family by his side. Born in Rockland, October 24, 1947, he was the son of Frank and Muriel Young Salo of Owls Head.

In 1966, Bob was a member of the first class to graduate from, what was then the new Rockland District High School. He went on to the Southern Maine Vocational Technical College in South Portland, graduating with degrees in Automotive Mechanics and Drafting.

Bob started working with his father, Frank Salo, at Frankies Garage in Owls Head, when he was just a young boy. He continued to operate the garage after his father's death in 1986, until passing the reins to the current owner in 1999. At that time, Bob went to work with the State of Maine as a Mechanic at the State Garage in Rockland.

Bob always had a desire to take apart anything that had a motor. His favorite thing was rebuilding old tractors. When completed, each would have a faster engine and louder exhaust pipe. Bob also loved classic cars and motorcycles, owning many of both. He was a charter member that brought the NSKK, a local motorcycle group to the area. He was an avid hunter with both rifles and compound bows.

Bob was an active member of the Sons of the American Legion, Winslow - Holbrook - Merritt, Post No. 1, Rockland. Some of Bob's and his wife Pam's closest friends were found at the Legion, where they loved going to functions and dances. Bob held a firm belief that the American Legion does a lot of great things for its members and the community. He was also a member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks, No. 1008, the Rockland Lodge of Masons and the Mid-Coast Shrine Club.

Besides his wife, Pamela Barron Salo of Union, Bob is survived by his daughter, Kaylee Salo of Jacksonville, FL; his siblings, June Webber of Rockland, Sheila Polky of Owls Head and Frank Salo of Bath; his uncles and aunt, Raymond Young of Rockland, Arvo and Nettie Salo of Owls Head; his nieces and nephews, Gillan Salo, Angela and Melinda Polky, Kevin Luce, Nichole Davis and Amber Watrous, as well as many cousins and friends.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, August 11, 2017, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. All are invited to gather with Bob’s family, immediately following the service at the Winslow – Holbrook – Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, 335 Limerock Street, Rockland.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Sons of the American Legion, C/O Winslow – Holbrook – Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, P.O. Box 582, Rockland, ME, 04841, or the Shriner's Hospital for Children, may be directed to: Million Dollar Club, c/o Mid-Coast Shrine Club, PO Box 193, Nobleboro, ME 04555

To share a memory story with the Salo family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.