AUGUSTA – Pearl Robert “Bob” Thurlow passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2024, at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta, after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. He was born in Oxford, Maine, on Feb. 17, 1933, the son of the Late Harry D. and Harriet (Crockett) Thurlow.

Bob left Hallowell, Maine in 1950 at age 17 to join the Air Force, serving 13 ½ years, and completed his military service by joining the Army National Guard retiring with 23 ½ years of service. Bob was rightfully proud of his long service to the Country he loved so much.

He met his future wife, Joyce Argraves, in August of 1954 at a friend’s house, where he announced, “I’m going to marry that girl!” Four months later he made that dream come true. That marriage lasted until his passing, nearly 70 years!

Bob had a varied and interesting employment career including Aircraft mechanic for Pratt and Whitney, Demolition man, bartender, he ran Big Boys Restaurant in Augusta for several years and spent many years as a mechanic at the base laundry facility at Loring Air Base until his retirement in 1988.

One of Bob’s great joys was riding his Harley! He spent many days touring the state with Joyce and took several cross-country trips with his son Dennis to San Diego and to Sturgis.

Upon his retirement from military service, Bob joined the American Legion and soon became Post Commander at Post 127 in Limestone Maine. Later he would become Legion County Commander of Aroostook County District 7, Department Historian of Fitzgerald-Cummings Post 2 Legion in Augusta, and Post 2 Commander.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Joyce Ann Thurlow. He is also survived by his daughter Susan Kaplan and husband David, daughter Sharon Marshall and husband Stephen, son Dwain Thurlow and wife Debra, and daughter-in-law Nancy Fields.

He is further survived by grandsons Eric Kaplan and wife Renee Edwards, Ryan Thurlow, and Tyler Thurlow, granddaughters Tracy Marcouillier and husband Josh, Amber Kaplan, Michelle Adams, Mallory Thurlow, and Callie Thurlow; and great-grandchildren Emma and Sadie Marcouillier, Willow Adams, Marco Martinez, Preston Kaplan, and Asher Adams.

He was predeceased by sons Dean Perry Thurlow and Dennis Ray Thurlow, granddaughter Jody Lee Weston, and his five sisters and eight brothers.

The family wishes to extend a Very Grateful Thank You to Rachel Cookson-Smith, Jake Anderson, Jenny Carver, and all the staff at Freedom Bay Alpha for their kindness and care of Bob.

Services will be held at Knowlton Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta, on Monday, Dec. 2 from 11 – 12:30 p.m. Graveside service to follow at 1:00 p.m. at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Road. Following the services a Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Post 2 American Legion in Augusta, Family and friends please join us.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church Street, Augusta, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.