“Last summer I noticed that Reverend Howes had purchased a snappy, new VW convertible Beetle with the license plate, ‘REV BOB.’ I frequently saw him driving around town wearing his black beret, and I had to include this in his portrait.”

Robert Howes was born in Marilla, New York. He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in journalism but then went on to Harvard University to earn a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree. While still completing coursework, Howes accepted a position as pastor of a parish in Southern New Hampshire comprising four separate churches. Commuting to Boston for classes and managing a large parish constituted what Howes described as “a very busy time in my life.” Howes ultimately moved to Kennebunkport on January 1, 1955, when he was called to be minister of South Congregational Church. He served that congregation for 34 years and concurrently that of the First Congregational Church on North Street in Kennebunkport for 27 years. In the midst of this, he received his Master's Degree in Theology from Boston University in 1961.

Aside from his time with the church, Howes is most pleased about being a founding member and volunteer EMT with Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services (KEMS) from 1979 to 1997. Upon his retirement, Howes coordinated for ten years the pastoral care of all hospice patients in southern Maine and oversaw the training of hospice caregivers. Though his role was as a volunteer, it amounted to nearly full-time employment.

On view from Robert Howes was the plaque honoring his years of dedicated service with KEMS.

“The Kennebunks represent. . . a very intimate community. My sense is that we are still a real community. We are interested in each other’s welfare and concerned about the quality of life we have here.”