Robert A. Pixley

Robert A. “Butch” Pixley, 69, passed away on Friday evening Feb. 10, 2017, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born on June 20, 1947, in Springfield, Vt., the fourth child of Albert M. and Charlotte F. (Thaxter) Pixley. He attended Springfield public schools and graduated from Springfield High School, Class of 1965.

In June 1966 he enlisted in the United States Navy, doing his training at Great Lakes Training Center. He was assigned to the USS York County and stationed in Little Creek, Va. He sailed to islands in the Caribbean and did two tours in the Mediterranean area.

In June 1972 he married Judy Stoodley, sister of his brother Howard’s wife, Jane Stoodley. Robert and Judy had two children, Rebecca Lynn and Matthew Mark, and resided at their 10-acre home on Whitesville Road in Cavendish, Vt., until their divorce in May of 1995.

Robert’s working career consisted of Book Press in Brattleboro, Vt., Bryant Grinder in Springfield, Vt., Door Crafters in Ludlow, Vt., Jones & Lamson Machine Tool in Springfield, Vt., and Feriux Machine Shop in North Springfield, Vt.

In 1977 Robert joined the 131st Vermont Army National Guard which was activated for the Gulf War in November 1990. In May 1991 the 131st was sent to Saudi Arabia for one year. He achieved the rank of staff sargeant. In the summer of 2001 while on maneuvers in New York State, he contracted carditis, which required him to resign from the guards after 24 years.

Robert joined the Cavendish Fire Department in 1974 and had attained the rank of assistant chief. He served twice as the commander of the Robert L. Johnson V.F.W. Post 771 in Springfield, Vt. (2009-2010), and as state commander of the Disabled American Veterans. He was also an active volunteer and driver for the D.A.V.

He is survived by his father Albert M. Pixley of Springfield; one daughter, Rebecca L. Nareau of Cavendish; one son, Matthew M. Pixley of Fairbanks, Alaska; one brother, Howard Pixley of Cavendish; two sisters, Betty Wall of Springfield and Flora Bush of Ogunquit, Maine; his former wife Judy; his companion, Leslie Bensley, of North Springfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Charlotte.

A memorial service will be held at 11a. m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. Reverend Abraham Gross, pastor of the Cavendish Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph Center, Vt., at a later date.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Robert L. Johnson V.F.W. Post 771, P.O. Box 568 Springfield, VT 05156 or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at dav.org or mail to: Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)