Robert "Ki" Owen Obituary (1933 - 2013)

Topsham- Robert "Ki” Owen, age 79 of Cathance Road, passed away Sunday, November 10th at his home. He was born in Brunswick, November 16, 1933 the son of Harold and Verlie Hammond Owen. He attended Brunswick Schools and was a graduate of Brunswick High School. During the Korean Conflict he served as a machine gunner in the Marine Corps. On July 7, 1967 he married Theresa Bernier and they moved to Topsham. He worked two shifts at the Varney Mill in Brunswick before it closed, and then worked a "mish-mash” of construction jobs. After his four children were grown Ki became involved with the American Legion. He joined Topsham American Legion Post 202 when it was formed and was the Chaplain, then Commander. He went on to become the American Legion’s Sagadahoc County commander, then a Third District commander, then the Maine historian and served in other statewide positions including Past Department Commander. He recently served as the state’s representative on the organization’s national executive committee. For over 25 years, Ki has served as the American Legion Department Service Officer in Maine at the VA Togus campus, and was one of two certified in his office by the Veteran’s Administration to process benefits claims. He was appointed to an ad hoc committee created by the American Legion National Executive Committee, which he served on until June of 2011, that aimed to convince Department of Defense and Veterans Administration officials to discuss taking a unified approach to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. One of Ki’s greatest joy of life was helping veterans obtain veteran benefits they deserved. Veterans and their families currently continued maintaining contact with Ki thanking him for his efforts and strong support. In addition to his many years of service to veterans and The American Legion, Ki also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Surviving besides his wife Theresa of Topsham is a daughter Darlene Wing of Bath, step-son Michael and his wife Dorothy of Bowdoin, step-son Rodney and his wife Juli of Bowdoin, brother Norman Owen of Brunswick, 2 sisters Carol Ciciotti and Judy Colarusso both of Topsham. Also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by a son Kirk Owen, brothers Paul, Richard, Harold, and Patrick, and a sister Diane Blanchette. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, November 14th from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick, where an American Legion funeral service will be held Friday, November 15th at 10 AM . Interment with military honors will be Tuesday, November 19th at 1PM at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Donation in his memory may be made to the Topsham American Legion Post 202, 79 Foreside Road, Topsham, ME 04086. Memorial condolences may be expressed and a video tribute may be viewed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com