A Navy veteran, Robert E. Kimball Sr. worked most of his life as an independent contractor in the construction industry. He was employed by various companies in the Haverhill area, including Al Crepeau Construction, and Early and Son's. More recently, he was a partner in A & A Construction Co., retiring in the early 1990s due to illness.
"He was always willing to help out anybody with construction work, other companies, anybody," said Mr. Kimball's daughter, Melissa L. Clark, who cared for her father in recent years after he became ill. "Even when he was sick and wasn't able to do construction work, he still enjoyed being around the work and the people."
After a long courageous battle with diabetes, Robert E. Kimball Sr. died Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 at Merrimack Valley Hospital. He was 61 and a lifelong resident of Haverhill.
"He was very well known in the city," said Mr. Kimball's brother-in-law, James A. Guyot of Haverhill. "He was a longtime contractor in the city and did a lot of work with heavy equipment. He was always digging holes."
Mr. Kimball was also known for wearing his signature polka-dotted welder's hats.
"When he didn't have the hat on, people sometimes wouldn't recognize him," his daughter said.
Mr. Kimball was born in Haverhill, son of Lee M. and Edith M. (Pickles) Kimball. He lived in Haverhill all of his life and was a graduate of Haverhill High School Class of 1964.
Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Kimball enlisted into the Navy, proudly serving his country on the U.S.S. Zellars, DD-777 during the Vietnam War.
In addition to his work in the construction industry, Mr. Kimball managed the former Riverview Drive-in Theater in Haverhill.
Mr. Kimball, a member of the AMVETS Post 147 in Haverhill, was an avid race car fan who was involved with many local racing teams, his latest venture being with J.R. Baril Racing Team where he was known as "Rooster."
"He loved being part of the crew (of J.R. Baril Racing Team) and enjoyed being with the guys. They had a lot of fun together," Melissa L. Clark said.
Mr. Kimball spent many days at Crescent Farms in Ward Hill with his friends and enjoyed going for rides and taking in the scenery with his daughter and dog, Oreo.
His family wishes to express gratitude for the support and care given to him by his many doctors and nurses over the years.
Mr. Kimball is survived by his son, Robert E. Kimball Jr., and his fiance, Gretchen Rothrock, of Salem, N.H.; two daughters, Stacy P. Sullivan of Riverview, Fla., Melissa L. and her husband Lorin J. Clark; his mother, Edith M. (Pickles) Kimball; a sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor J. and James A. Guyot, all of Haverhill; six grandchildren, Michael, Chelsea and Andrea Kimball of Salem, N.H., Alisandra "Lexi" Antonakis, Olivia and Haleigh Sullivan of Riverview, Fla.; an aunt, Ruth Giarruso of North Andover; and several cousins. He leaves former wives, Kathleen S. Jackson and Diana M. (Ricci) Nissen.
His father, Lee Myron Kimball, died in 1985.
Arrangements were by the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. The funeral as well as a Mass of Christian burial at St. John the Baptist Church was held Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. A springtime burial will take place in the family lot at Meeting House Cemetery, Danville, N.H. Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Kimball's name to Merrimack Valley Dialysis Center, 100 Milk St., Methuen, MA 01844.
