Robert Stearns Briggs, obituary
CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Robert Stearns Briggs, 81, lovingly known as ‘Bob or Cappy’, died peacefully with his devoted family by his side on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Born in Bangor on January 20, 1944, he was the youngest of three children of the late Gordon Dobson and Pauline Stearns Briggs of Hampden.
Bob grew up in Hampden and achieved early fame by winning the 1957 Bangor/Brewer Soap Box Derby at age 13, with guidance from Uncle Phil. The prizes included a boat and motor and a trip to Akron, Ohio for the national race, sponsored by the Bangor Daily News and Chevrolet. His derby car was later donated to the Cole Transportation Museum, where it remains on display—and Bob was never allowed to put the event behind him, thanks to the surviving photographs.
A graduate of Hampden Academy, class of 1962, Bob went on to the University of New Hampshire, where he was a member of the Acacia fraternity and participated in ROTC, graduating in 1967 with a BA degree. He reported for active duty in the Army in September 1967, serving as a training officer at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, before deploying to Viet Nam as a platoon leader in an Armored Cavalry Troop attached to an Infantry Brigade headquartered in Chu Lai. During his tour from 1968-1969, he was promoted to Executive Officer of the Troop and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. He returned to the U.S. in June 1969, assigned to Fort Dix, New Jersey, as a captain in a Special Processing Battalion handling AWOLs and deserters in the eastern United States. His military service concluded in July 1970.
By his high school years, Bob had found the love of his life, Ms. Barbara Farnham. Originally planned for late summer 1968, their wedding was moved up due to Bob's Viet Nam assignment, and they were married on May 25, 1968. They shared 57 wonderful years together.
After his discharge from active duty, Bob enrolled in the University of Maine School of Law, graduating in 1973 with his JD—just two months after their daughter Heather was born. His legal career began at the Bangor law firm of his Uncle Lou – Stearns, Finnegan and Needham – where he focused on corporate and commercial law while also serving as an Assistant District Attorney.
In 1979, Bob was elected Vice President and General Counsel of Bangor Hydro Electric Company, one of his former clients. By 1989 he had risen to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer by 1989, and in 1991 was elected President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors—only the fourth CEO in the company's more than 100-year history.
Bob's tenure coincided with one of the most challenging periods for electric utilities. He navigated the company through the controversial Seabrook nuclear project, issues at the Maine Yankee nuclear plant, public policy evolution regarding conservation and demand-side management, and the resolution of overpriced non-utility generators. The industry was transformed when Maine mandated that regulated utilities could no longer be power suppliers or own generating assets. Following this directive, BHE sold its assets in 1998 and continued as a "wires company." The company and its customers also weathered the devastating ice storm of 1998, arguably the greatest disaster in Maine since the Bar Harbor fire of 1947.
These industry upheavals led to consideration of mergers and business combinations. Bob guided BHE through its merger with Emera Inc., a Canadian company, in October 2001. As a result of the merger, he retired from his positions at BHE and joined the Emera board of directors, serving until his retirement from the board in 2014. Throughout his career, Bob was active in numerous charitable and business development organizations, including the Eastern Maine Medical Center board of directors (now Northern Light), the United Way of Eastern Maine, the Bangor Water District, the Environmental and Economic Council of Maine, Rotary Club, and various bank boards.
Upon retirement, Bob and Barb moved to their slope-side condo at Sugarloaf and became active residents of Carrabassett Valley. They joined the weekday skiing community—the tough and dedicated "loafers"—avoiding weekend crowds. Bob particularly enjoyed skiing with the Shipyard Ski Team for Wednesday local races, where they formed lasting friendships. On weekends, Bob and Barb focused on seeing that grandchildren Dillon and Brenna got to Bubblecuffers, taking them sledding and ensuring they were safely playing on the mountains of snow piled up by the plows. He spent many non-skiing days walking, biking, and snowshoeing on the spectacular town-owned Narrow Gauge Pathway. As early members of the CV Outdoor Association, they enjoyed numerous ski trips out West and other outdoor adventures. Bob served on the CV Sanitary Board, CV Library board, the Sugarloaf Advisory Group, and was Town Moderator for Carrabassett Valley, among other local committees.
Summers were spent living aboard their vessel, the m/v SEALOAFER, cruising the Maine and New Brunswick waters. They particularly loved Penobscot Bay, staying on the many MDIYC moorings and their own special private anchorages. Bob was one of the founding members of the Mount Desert Island Yacht Club and was the Commodore for many years. Their cruising ranged from downeast trips to Canada to southwest journeys beyond Pemaquid Point into Casco Bay and sometimes on to southern New England – from the St. John River in New Brunswick to the St. John River in Florida. They made two major cruises following the Intracoastal Waterway from Maine to South Carolina and into Florida, but unlike other snowbirds, they always flew home for Maine's winter ski season, returning south only during mud season. Many lobsters met their fate aboard the SEALOAFER. After the upkeep of their boat became too difficult, Bob and Barb spent their final ten summers as caretakers for the family properties on the shores of Monson Pond.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Barbara Farnham Briggs; his daughter, Heather Briggs Mackey; son-in-law Todd William Mackey; granddaughter, Brenna Briggs Mackey of Rockport; and grandson, Dillon Patrick Mackey of Salida, Colorado. He is also survived by his older sister, Margaret Briggs of Bennington, Vermont; his cousins Linda Stearns, Mary Hubbell, Paul Stearns, and Scott, David and Michael Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Gordon Briggs.
A time of visitation will be held Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
Although there will be no formal services, three life celebrations at places dear to Bob are planned: one this fall at a special island on the Maine coast; one this winter when the snow flies at Sugarloaf; and one next summer at the family compound on Monson Pond.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN), your local public broadcasting station, or the Maine Community Foundation—organizations that were favorites of Bob's and can always use support.
To share a memory or condolence with Bob’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.