on May 16, 1933, in Portland, Maine to Harold and Ruby Hight and graduated from Portland
High School. He was a member of the 1951 New England swimming team and was inducted
into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.
He served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War. After completing his service he enrolled in the former Gorham State Teachers College. He then went on to Syracuse University where earned his Masters degree and Ph.D in special education. While there he was awarded two United States Office of Education Fellowships in special education.
He devoted his life to special education working as an assistant director of the Children's
Psychiatric Hospital, director of training and education at Pineland Hospital,served as director of
special education and health services in South Portland for 10 years and director of special
services at SAU in New Hampshire for 10 years. He was also an adjunct professor in special
education at the University of Southern Maine, University of New Hampshire and Vermont.
He was a consultant to education departments in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Arizona.
He loved going to the ocean, enjoyed classical music and was a history buff. He had a great
sense of humor and was known for his beautiful smile and infinite patience.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Harold and Arthur, sisters Helen and Barbara.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 68 years, son Gregory and wife Diane of Rosville, TN,
Christopher and his wife Karen of NewCastle, Me., daughters Kathleen and husband Michael
Minervini of Kennebunk,ME, Heidi and Robert Trujillo of Goodyear, AZ and Julie and her
husband Peter Sullivan of Portland,ME, his brother Michael and wife Connie of Portland, ME,
sister-in-laws Maxine Hight and Anna Hight of Portland, ME., 11 grandchildren, 21 great
grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
Robert spent the last six months of his life at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. The
family will be forever grateful for the loving care and devotion he received from the angels in unit A.
Visitation Wednesday January 18 from 4PM - 6PM with a service immediately afterward at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford Street Portland, Maine. A private burial will take place at Brooklawn Memorial Park at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Hight family.
