Robert L. Mclam

Robert L. McLam, 94, died July 21, 2013 at Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington, Vermont. He was born in East Topsham, Vermont on April 21, 1919, the son of Charles and Bertha (Hall) McLam. He attended school in Topsham and graduated from Bradford Academy in 1937. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of East Topsham. After high school he joined the United States Army, serving in WWII. He served much of his time in Europe in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was a Surgical Technician in Company D 105th Medical Battalion, holding a T5 Rating. His division participated in five major battles across Europe, one of them being the Battle of the Bulge. He married Leota M. Welch of Topsham on November 25, 1950. In 1953 they built McLam's General Store in Waits River. They operated the store until 1970. He was also employed at Bowen Hunter Bobbin Mill in East Corinth, Bradford Veneer Company in Bradford, Vermont and Hutchins Bobbin Mill in Barre, Vermont. He was a naturally talented carpenter building three family homes, and helping his daughters and son-in-laws with building and adding to their homes. He and his wife loved to travel the back roads of Vermont. He enjoyed deer hunting, family gatherings, taking care of his home, his vegetable garden, and sitting out in his lawn chair watching the traffic go by. He was truly the king of his castle; as he aged and was unable to attend to his home, he was still the boss, keeping an eye on his children as they did the work. He is survived by his wife Leota, three daughters, Judy Cheney and husband Steve of Saint George, Vermont, Lois Cote and husband Armand of Burlington Vermont and Susan McLam of Orange, Vermont, 3 granddaughters, Krista Cheney of Saint George, Vermont, Valerie Cote of Burlington, Vermont and Lynnette Montgomery and her husband Michael of Lyndonville, Vermont as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, mother, 3 sisters Ivis McLam, Marion Brown, and Ruby Constantino and 2 brothers, Wesley McLam and Sheldon McLam. The family gives special thanks to the staff of Starr Farm and the staff of Little Rivers Health Care in East Corinth, Vermont as well as Dr. David Ospina of Mountainview Medical in Berlin, Vermont for providing the best possible care a family could ask for. Arrangements are being made by Hale Funeral Homes of Bradford, Vermont. At his request there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at a later date. To view an online guestbook go to www.halefuneralhomes.com

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Robert L. Mclam, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.