Robert Lowell (Binka) McLaughlin died peacefully on July 1, 2021. He was born in Portland Maine, on September 10, 1933, to Lowell Franklin McLaughlin and Hazel Morse. He spent most of his youth in Scarborough, ME, working with his dad on the farm. As a small boy he would walk himself to the local airstrip and watch the planes take off and land. Upon graduating from Scarborough High School in 1952, he joined the USAF where he completed his basic training at Sampson AFB in Lake Geneva, NY. He then was stationed in Biloxi, MS, Highland N.J. and on to Brunswick, ME where he became a “Radar Man”. In 1956 he joined the Army National Guard where he went to Officer training in Fort Benning, GA. Robert always had an interest in airplanes and was happiest flying his own plane.
Robert met the love of his life and married Audrey Morrell in 1955 in South Portland, ME. They went on to have three girls; Pamela Duval (Rick) of Parrish, FL, Susan Ledoux (Tim) of Merrimack, NH, and Kathy MacGibbon (Kendall), of Fairfax Station, VA. In 1958 Robert began his long-time career as an Air Traffic Controller at Logan Airport in Boston, MA. In 1962 they moved to Derry, NH, where he later transferred to the ARTCC in Nashua, NH. He spent 26 years working as a controller and retired after 32 years of service for the US government.
After retiring Bob and Audrey loved spending time traveling and visiting their grandchildren. They also loved entertaining by the pool and have wonderful memories of summers spent at their home on Kingsbury Street, where everyone was welcome.
Bob and Audrey moved to Parker Village in Merrimack, NH in 2014 where they met new friends and lived a peaceful life.
His first grandchild affectionately gave Bob the name Binka, and all his friends still call him that to this day. He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Kristin Barden (Matt D'Urso) of Bedford, NH, Julie Olivier (Dave) of Hooksett, NH, Matt Barden (Nina) of Amherst, NH, Zachery Ledoux (Jenn) of Nashua, NH, Brianna Ledoux of Merrimack, NH, Daniel MacGibbon (Mary) of Roanoke, VA, Diane Banta (Billy) of Ketchum, ID, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Bob is pre-deceased by two sisters, Sylvia Swinburne and Lois Ewing.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Community Hospice House for their gentle guidance, amazing support and care during this difficult time. They are truly God’s angel’s and we appreciate all that they did.
Following cremation, calling hours will be held on Saturday July 17, 2021 from 1 to 3pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry with a memorial service to begin at 3:00pm in the funeral home.
In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH 03054.