Robert A. J. Livingston, 92

GILMANTON — Robert A. J. “Bob” Livingston, a minister for over 60 years, a creative teacher of art and a practicing sculptor, died at 92 from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In 1991, he and his wife Helen Bates Livingston, moved from Laconia to the Havenwood Heritage Heights retirement community in Concord. They summered at a family cottage on Crystal Lake in Gilmanton.

Bob taught art in the Sanbornton and Tilton elementary schools. He is remembered by many for the tissue-paper, hot-air balloons he created with his school classes and launched to the delight of all. His resourceful and original designs for parade floats were seen in parades in Tilton.

He was a resourceful artist who entertained children and adults with his homemade kites, papier-mâché sculptures and pencil or ink drawings of everyday objects. Bob often left a note of “Thanks!” to waitresses under a drawing of a steaming cup of coffee on the back of a placemat.

As an adult, he pursued a long-term interest in sailing small boats. True to his inventive nature, his first sailing craft were created from rowboats with bed sheets tacked to 2x4 masts. Well into his eighties, he enjoyed his daily, single-handed sails on Crystal Lake in his 16 foot boat “Puff.” He would return thrilled that “using just the wind” he could sail anywhere.

Livingston was a graduate of American University and Oberlin Theological Seminary and held a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. He is survived by his wife, Helen, who was his steady companion and best friend for over 67 years in all the adventures and challenges that they enthusiastically undertook, his children Judy Livingston of Gilroy, Calif., Jay Livingston & wife Szifra Birke of Lowell, Mass. and Kent Livingston of Austin Tex., grandchildren, Scott, Rochelle and Quentin and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Havenwood/Heritage Heights, 33 Christian Ave., Concord on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Havenwood Heritage Heights Endowment Fund.