Robert Ayers Eaton

Robert Ayers Eaton, 88, of Tilton-Haley Road, Sandwich, died peacefully and quietly at home on March 16, 2010. Born May 4, 1921 in Brockton, Massachusetts to Louis Franklin Eaton and Margaret Ayers Eaton, Robert attended Amherst College graduating with a B.A. in 1943. Following college he joined the United States Navy serving from 1943-1945 as Commander of a U.S.N. Minesweeper during World War II. In October 1949, he married Meredith Vining. They lived for 23 years in Hingham, Massachusetts raising their five children. While in Hingham, A dedicated proponent of education for his entire life, Robert served as Chairman of the Town School Committee for many years. An avid golfer, he was also actively involved with the Cohasset Golf Club in Cohasset Massachusetts. From 1946-1967, Robert worked for Charles A. Eaton Company in Brockton, Massachusetts. A manufacturing company of men's dress shoes and later sporting shoes, best known for the golf brand "Etonic", he specialized in sales and marketing serving as Director from 1954-1967. From 1968-1971, he worked for Norman-Buffet Display Industries in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1972, he went to work for The Graves Corporation of Newburyport, Massachusetts. A manufacturer and early pioneer of fiberglass Alpine skis, Robert worked for the company until 1974 when he took a job as Vice-President and General Manager of the Consumer Products Division for Bausch and Lomb in Rochester, New York, managing the company's best-known brand, Ray-Ban sunglasses, he worked for Bausch and Lomb until 1976. During retirement, he continued with Concrete Flotation Inc., a company specializing in floating docks and marinas designed for the rugged New England coastal area, in the sales and marketing division. In 1980, Robert and Meredith retired to Sandwich, NH where they had spent many summers vacationing having purchased a house there in 1963. Robert was an avid stock market trader and speculator, who enjoyed investing in real estate. Passions of Robert's included golfing and sailing, especially "bare boating" in the British Virgin Islands. Robert is survived by his five siblings; Louis F. Eaton Jr. of Cohasset, Massachusetts, Allan A. Eaton of Duxbury, Massachusetts, David Eaton of Sandwich, NH, Margaret Koerner of Woodstock, Connecticut, and Mary Abigail Mott of Topsham, Maine. He is also survived by his five children, Robert A. Eaton Jr. of Fairfield, Iowa, Nina Eaton of Sandwich, New Hampshire, Toby V. Eaton of Sandwich, New Hampshire, Sarah Eaton of Wilmot, New Hampshire, and Cameron Eaton of Delaplane, Virginia. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Christian T. Eaton, Lindsey Gerli Eaton, W. Tyler Eaton, Chloe E. Simpson, Dillon E. Simpson and Meghan E. Tubb. Memorials:In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The East Sandwich Meeting House and Cemetery Association C/O Walter Carlson Jr. 342 Vittum Hill Road Sandwich, NH 03227.Visitation:There will be no calling hours and at this time, no further plans have been made for a service.

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Robert Ayers Eaton

May 4, 1921 - March 16, 2010