Robert Browne, 60, of Vassalboro died unexpectedly of heart failure on Wednesday, August 27,2003. He was born August 26th, 1943 in Belfast, Maine, the second child of seven of Paul E. and Lucy Cobb Browne.
            Bob lived most of his life in Vassalboro, attended Vassalboro schools, Cony High School in Augusta, and graduated in the class of 1965 from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in Agricultural Science. He operated the family dairy farm for a few years before undertaking his life's work, the development of Natanis Golf Course from a nine hole facility to Maine's only 36 hole golf course. In partnership with his brother Jim, he also owned Browne Family Enterprises which includes Lakewood Golf Course in Madison, real estate development and until 1996, the Natanis Cross Country Ski Trails.
            He was a trustee of the Riverside Congregational Church, a Selectman for the Town of Vassalboro, a past president of the Maine Golf Course Superintendents Association, and a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity. He loved competitive sports of all kinds, whether watching, playing or coaching.
            He is survived by his wife Julie, his sons and their spouses, Rob & Kim and Allen & Sue, and their children, Trevor, Andrew and Justin, all of Vassalboro. Also his siblings and their spouses, Bill & Carolyn Browne, Jim & Barbara Browne, Dick & Shirley Browne and Liz & Wilt Wiltshire all of Vassalboro; Paul & Dieke Browne of Newton Ctr, MA., Margaret & Jeff Bradbury of Damariscotta; and over twenty five nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, two aunts and an uncle.
            Friends and family are encouraged to join the Browne family at a potluck supper at the Natanis clubhouse on Saturday, August 30th at 7:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at 8:00 AM on Saturday, September 6th at the Riverside Congregational Church in Vassalboro. Following the service, the celebration of the completion of Bob's new Tomahawk course will be held that day as planned. See below for more details on the celebration. Those who desire may make contributions in Bob's name to the Bob Browne Agricultural Scholarship Fund for the University of Maine c/o Skowhegan Savings Bank, Att. New Accounts Main Office, PO Box 250, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 or the Riverside Congregational Church c/o Joe Dee, 30 Hayford St., Farmingdale, Maine 04344

For Central Maine Newspaper article on Bob's life, CLICK HERE

For "The Town Line" newspaper article, CLICK HERE