Robert H. Ayer Jr., 79, of died Jan. 17, 2013, at a Bangor health care facility. He was born June 18, 1933, in Brewer, son of Robert H. and Thelma C. Ayer.

Bob graduated from Brewer High School in 1951 and Husson College in 1961. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957, during the Korean War. Bob was employed in the insurance industry for 33 years starting with Kemper Insurance as an adjuster in 1961 in Bangor and was president of Northern Maine Adjusters Association. His career then took him to New Bedford, Mass., as claim manager, then to Quincy, Mass., as a division claim examiner. He returned to Portland and worked at the Kemper office there. In 1983, Bob became the state claim manager for American International Adjustment Co., Portland. He ended his career with Casco Indemnity Co. as its home office claim manager. Bob was a member of Hermon Baptist Church. For 29 years he was a very active member of First Baptist Church, Portland, serving in many positions, including chairman of the board of deacons; several search committees; chairman site selection committee, member of the building committee and member of First Baptist Church choir.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 59 years, Joan (Patterson) Ayer of Brewer; son, Stephen of Brewer; granddaughter, Cricket Ayer of San Angelo, Texas; and many cousins, including Barbara Clayton of Engelwood, Fla., and Forest, Paul and Arthur Ayer, all of Caribou. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Richard Mahlon.