Robert F. West

Robert F. West, 88, of Cromwell, went home to be with the Lord on October 21, 2006. Born in Millville, NJ, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mabel Ferguson West. Bob was a former resident of West Simsbury before moving to Cromwell in 2001. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1939 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, and as a student served as president of the Glee Club and played trombone in the band. He was a Lieutenant in the US Navy during World War II. Bob was employed as a mechanical engineer throughout his career, and served as the Director of New Products and Research at Stanley Tools for 26 years until he retired in 1983. He designed or improved many hand tools and is named on over 40 patents, including for the PowerLock tape rule. He was a member of ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers from 1937 until his death. He was most recently a member of Valley Community Baptist Church in Avon. In 1965, Bob served as the Chairman of the Building Committee for construction of the new Kensington Baptist Church and also served the Kensington Baptist Church as a Deacon and as Choir Director. He was a former Board Member of the Elim Park Baptist Home in Cheshire. He became an Eagle Scout in 1933 and loved the outdoors all his life, taking the family camping every year and climbing many of the White Mountains of NH. He was a fine craftsman, designing and making many pieces of furniture which now fill his home and those of his children. He designed and had built his home in West Simsbury where he lived from 1958 until 2001. A later hobby was oil painting. He had great musical talent, singing baritone in glee clubs and choirs, playing trombone from age 12 until 86, and playing the organ at their home in West Simsbury. Surviving are his beloved wife of 64 years, Dorothy Nourse West; a son, Lee West and his wife Carol of Wethersfield; a daughter, Karen Campbell and her husband Archibald of South Hamilton, MA; two brothers, Franklin F. West of Berwick ME and J. Richard West and his wife Patricia of Moneta VA; two grandchildren, Jennifer Boutchie and Meredith Graham. He was predeceased in March of this year by a sister, Helena Sarty of Worcester, MA. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 10:00AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, New Britain, CT, followed by the funeral service at 11:00AM. . Burial will be in Wonx Spring Cemetery, Plantsville immediately following the funeral service. Memorial donations may be made to the Covenant Village of Cromwell Benevolent Fund, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416.