Robert Hampton Copenhaver

Robert Hampton Copenhaver, of Littleton, known as Bob or Bobby to his family and friends, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2025. His peaceful passing was at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care in Lebanon for which his whole family is so grateful.

Bob was born in Littleton, NH in 1939. He was the son of Dr. Charles and Ann Copenhaver of Littleton. His early years in Littleton he spent enjoying summers at the family camp at Partridge Lake and winters skiing at Cannon Mountain with his best friend, Gordi Eaton. Bob shared over 57 years of marriage with his loving wife and best friend, Irene Docos Copenhaver, known as Muffy to all, whom he met at UNH. Bob spent many happy hours right to the end of his life with his daughter, Zoe Copenhaver Daboul, of Portsmouth, NH. Zoe, along with her daughter, Bob’s very special grandchild, Charlotte, and Zoe’s husband, Mike Daboul added the most joy to his life. Charlotte was really the most special part of his life. She even got him to be an Eagles fan rather than a lifelong Giants fan…which added joy and fun each week.

Bob is survived by his loving younger sister, Joyce Copenhaver Thoma, and her husband Chris Thoma, of Easton, NH. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother in law, Dorothea Docos Sanders and Larry Sanders, of Napa California. Bob was predeceased by his older brother, Charles Copenhaver, Jr, of Aachen, Germany in January of 2012.

He attended Mildred Lakeway Elementary School in Littleton, along with the Rectory School, Proctor Academy and Manter Hall. He graduated from the UNH in 1966 with a BS in economics. Bob attended and completed the Small Company Management Program at Harvard University from 1975 to 1977. From June of 1960 to August of 1963 Bob served successfully in the US Army as a101st Airborne Ranger at Fort Campbell, KY. He received an honorable discharge as a Sargeant with the “Screaming Eagles”.

Bob worked for Mobil Oil Corp starting in1966. His interest in business and the petroleum industry led him home to Littleton to work for, and ultimately purchase, the Doane Oil Company, a fuel and gasoline distributorship, in 1968 from a partner and mentor, Benton L Moyer. He ultimately merged his company with another local jobber and created the Doane Ruggles Fuel Company. In 1991, he and his partner, Wayne Ruggles, sold their company to the Irving Oil Corp of Canada, for which Bob worked until his retirement.

In 1986 he helped to open Gordi’s Fish & Steak House in Lincoln with Muffy who had spent a number of years in the restaurant business, including at the Lobster Tub, in Littleton, which they opened in 1970. Gordi Eaton and his wife Karen became partners at that time and spent many summers helping Muffy to create a successful operation. Along with the Eatons, a dear family friend, Bob Shaw, who now operates Gordi’s, became a partner.

Bob served as Chairman of the Board of the Littleton Savers Bank and was involved in development in Lincoln through the Satter Companies and Granite State Phoenix. Bob’s civic responsibilities were many. He served as Chairman of the Littleton Hospital Board of Directors, as President of the Littleton Rotary Club, and an active member of the board of the Littleton Industrial Development Corp. Bob was very instrumental in starting the many years long Rotary Lobster Festival at Cannon Mountain. He served as a Commissioner at Littleton Water & Light on the board of Community Financial Services Group.  The Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce presented him with The Citizen of the Year Award.

A friends and family gathering will take place at the Ross Funeral Home, Littleton, NH on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 3 to 5 PM, with a service at 5 PM with the Reverend Lynn Winter officiating. A private family burial will take place in the Spring. A Celebration of Life will be held at Gordi’s Fish & Steak House, Lincoln, NH, 12 noon on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. All are invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Robert Copenhaver to Jean’s NCCA playhouse, PO Box 1060,34 Papermill Drive, Lincoln, NH 03251,/https://jeansplayhouse.com/support/ the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care,154 Hitchcock Loop Road, Lebanon, NH 03766,https://dhgeiselgiving.org/ or the Middle Street Baptist Church, Deacon’s Fund,18 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801.http://www.middle.st/give

The family thanks all for their support and love.

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