Feature

Eight Bells: Bob Norton

Published on November 2nd, 2016

Robert Alexander Norton

Bob Norton, of Damariscotta, Maine, died at 82 years on October 28, 2016. He was a longtime one design sailor, first in the Town Class age five, to running the dinghy program at the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating from Brown.

Bob was part of the gang of Finn sailors in Pewaukee, Wisconsin that produced 1968 Finn Olympian Peter Barret. It was on to E Scows, DN Iceboats in Midwest and than on to Etchells and PHRF boats in his hometown of Marblehead. Bob moved on to Maine and cruising a decade ago.

Bob was an active Board Member in the YMCA, both in Marblehead and Boothbay Harbor. He was active in the Boston Yacht Club and the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of more than fifty-seven years, Kitty Dittmar Norton, two sisters, six children, and five grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, A. Vernon Norton.