Robert W. Colter, 88, of Ipswich, husband of the late Mary L. Watson Colter, died May 19 in his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Edgartown on Nov. 7, 1918, son of Richard L. and Jessie Iliffe Colter, he was raised on the Vineyard and was a 1936 graduate of the Tisbury High School.

He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was employed in his father's Edgartown auto garage until enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. An aircraft mechanic, he served late in the war with occupational forces in the Philippines. Married in 1945 in Lynn, the Colters lived in Edgartown and later in Lynn for several years before moving to Ipswich in 1956. He was employed as a planning engineer at G.E. Riverworks Turbine Division in Lynn for 30 years, retiring in 1982. An avid reader of current events, he enjoyed science and technology and video photography. He also enjoyed travel, making many trips to Bermuda and camping throughout much of Canada.

Survivors include four sons, Duncan B. Colter and his wife Elizabeth Steward of Ashfield, Robert A. Colter of Seaside, Calif., Norman R.A. Colter and his wife Pamela of Ipswich and Stuart M. Colter of Ipswich; two daughters, Janice L. Colter of Ipswich and Martha S. Miller and her husband Mark of Merrimac; seven grandchildren, Bryan P. Colter of Seaside, Calif., James C. Blanken of Ipswich, Brandon R. Blanken and  Courtney S. Blanken, both of Arlington, Vt., Coreana M. Colter, Shannon F. Colter and Heather A. Colter, all of Ipswich; a sister in law, Mrs. Arlene Colter of Edgartown; a cousin, Greta Coltart of Saugus; and several nephews and nieces.

His brother, Richard Colter, formerly of Edgartown, predeceased him.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 5 in the First Church in Ipswich, Meetinghouse Green, Ipswich. An interment service with Army honors will follow at 2 p.m. in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the First Church Memorial Fund, First Church in Ipswich, One Meetinghouse Green, Ipswich, MA 01938.