Robert E. Halfacre, formerly of Chatham, Massachusetts, Flemington, New Jersey and Fair Haven, New Jersey died on October 28th in Gainesville, Florida, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 84.

 

Bob was born and raised in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Tabor Academy before joining the United States Navy and serving in the Pacific Theatre through the end of World War II. After an Honorable Discharge, he attended and graduated from Lehigh University in 1950 with a degree in Metallurgy Engineering. He later earned his MBA from SUNY Buffalo. He spent his professional life with NJ Zinc, American Metals Climax and US Bronze Powders, in such diverse places as Blackwell, Oklahoma, Lewiston, New York and Flemington, New Jersey.

 

Bob was laid off in the economic downturn of the mid-1970’s. Not content with searching for another job in metallurgy, he purchased a commercial fishing trawler, the “Yellow Bird” and at the age of 50 learned how to lobster and scallop out of Chatham Harbor on Cape Cod.   He worked the sea until well into his 7th decade, and when the scallops were overfished, he adapted and became a gill netter.

 

The “Perfect Storm” of October 1991 destroyed the Yellow Bird and Bob adapted again, and taught himself the art of fiberglass, completely rebuilding the Yellow Bird. He eventually sold the Yellow Bird and became one of the most sought after glassers on the Cape. He continued glassing until his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s at the age of 80.

 

He was also a private pilot, and enjoyed flying his Cessna 182 all over the country and “island hopping” through the Caribbean all the way to Brazil. 

 

Bob is predeceased by his parents, Ethel Wood Halfacre and George F. Halfacre, Sr. He is survived by his brother, George F. “Fritz” Halfacre, Jr. and his wife Reene, of Allentown, PA; his sister Patricia Bischoff and her husband David of Maine; his children, Susan Halfacre, and her husband Buck Curtin of Gainesville, FL;  Karen Foxworth and her husband Spencer of Little Silver, NJ; Jeffrey Halfacre and his wife Christine of Centreville, VA; Michael Halfacre and his wife Tricia of Fair Haven, NJ and Jason Halfacre and his wife Danielle of Santa Cruz, CA; fourteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many nieces, nephews and friends from all over the United States.

 

After a private service, his cremains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.