Robert K. Blakeman

Robert K. Blakeman, 85, resident of Milford, NH, died on May 25, 2015 at Pine Rock Manor in Warner, NH. He was born in the Bronx, NY, on December 14, 1929, a son of Robert D. and Mabel (Karges) Blakeman, and grew up in East Orange and Ridgewood, NJ. He resided in Milford for the past seven years and formerly made his home in Amherst, NH for 44 years. Mr. Blakeman graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Agriculture and started his career driving the back roads of southern Vermont working for the county visiting all the many dairy farms and artificially inseminating their cows. He loved telling the story from when he was standing in the hospital following the birth of his first son and another man asked him whether he did this often. He didn’t understand the question until he realized he still had on his work coveralls with the big “Vermont Breeding Association” stitched across the back. While he loved agriculture he decided on a career change to better support his family and after several various jobs settled into working for National Gypsum Co. as a traveling salesman. After several years he again re-invented his career and in 1968, with two other partners, formed Space Design Systems, Inc., with offices in Kennebunk, ME and Amherst, NH. He retired as President after 30 years with the company. He was a longtime member and past president of the Milford Rotary Club and since 1964, actively attended and supported the Congregational Church of Amherst. He was also very active with Amherst Jaycees, various Town of Amherst Boards, and Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as his sons grew up. In addition, he was a charter member of Hampshire Hills and an avid tennis player. Mr. Blakeman was a U.S. Army veteran having served during the Korean War. He was predeceased by his wife, Susan (Wilson) Blakeman, who died in 2006; and two grandchildren, Jesse and Kristy. Family members include three sons, Kenneth J. Blakeman of Peterborough, NH, Michael R. Blakeman and his wife, Lauriann of Del Norte, CO, Peter J. Blakeman and his wife, Anita Nikles Blakeman of North Sutton, NH; seven grandchildren, Hannah, Catherine, Lianna, Brittany, Daniel, Thomas and Alexandra; three great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Joanne Blakeman of Montpelier, VT; several nieces and nephews; and his dear friend, Edith Gambee of Milford, NH. Memorial visiting hours are on Thursday, June 4th from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM in Meadowview Cemetery, Foundry Street, Amherst, NH. A reception will follow in the Community Room at the Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church Street, Amherst.