Robert Whitmore Bradford
October 14, 1918 — May 25, 2014
Robert Whitmore Bradford
Mr. Bradford was born in Melrose on October 14, 1918, son of the late John W. Bradford and Mildred A. (Lockwood) Bradford.He was raised in Melrose and was graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1938. He proudly served his country in the US Army Air Forces during WWII as a weatherman and communications specialist in the China-Burma-India Theater, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received his undergraduate degree with honors in English from Dartmouth College, graduating with the class of 1943, his M.S. from Columbia, and Ph.D. from Syracuse University.He was named a Rufus Choate Scholar at Dartmouth College.
In 1944 he married the late Mary Jane Claflin, beginning a partnership of 67 years. They settled in Easton, Pennsylvania, where they raised a family of three children. Mr. Bradford was an English Professor at Lafayette College from 1953 until his retirement in 1985. A true scholar, Mr. Bradford was recognized at Lafayette with a distinguished teaching award and a Jones Faculty Lectureship. Mr. Bradford co-edited the E. B. White Reader, published by HarperCollins in 1966, along with William W. Watt. In addition to his academic work, he also enjoyed co-scripting and participating in many faculty plays and other dramatic productions.He cherished his 32 years teaching at Lafayette.
In 1985 Mr. and Mrs. Bradford retired from college teaching, eager to move to their "Edgeriver Farm" on the banks of the Sheepscot River in Whitefield, Maine.For over 25 years Mr. and Mrs. Bradford lived and worked happily on the farm, raising a herd of 80 Suffolk sheep, several cows, flocks of chickens, and an occasional pig. Successful in their endeavor, they sold the meat locally and produced enough wool for many warm blankets, sweaters and mittens.He continued farming until age 92.
In his spare time Mr. Bradford enjoyed walking in the woods, sailing off the Maine coast, constructing and setting flight to model airplanes, and reading poetry and English literature.He loved his many dogs and cats and had a keen interest in nature.A proud American, he took an active role in the annual Memorial and Independence Day services and parades.He was also an active member of the St. Giles' Episcopal Church in Jefferson, Maine.
Mr. Bradford was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Jane (Claflin) Bradford, who died on November 18, 2011.
He is survived by his children, Martha Jane Bradford and her husband Alfred M. Ajami of New Harbor, Maine; his sons, R. Verne Bradford and his wife Martha P. Bradford of Winchester, Massachusetts, and John W. Bradford and his loving companion Laurette A. Crane of Warwick, Massachusetts; his grandchildren, M. Tucker Bradford and his wife Victoria, currently circumnavigating the world, and Katherine B. Aleo and her husband Michael of Northampton, Massachusetts; his great-grandchildren, Ruby E. Bradford, Miles O. Bradford, Jacob B. Aleo, and Noah P. Aleo.
Relatives and friends will honor and celebrate Mr. Bradford's life by gathering for a Memorial Service at the St. Giles' Episcopal Church, 72 Gardiner Rd., (Route 126), Jefferson, Maine, on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 11 am. A private interment will be held later at the Whitefield Cemetery, in Kings Mills, Whitefield, Maine. Gifts to honor Mr. Bradford's life may be made to the St. Giles' Episcopal Church, at the above address.
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