Robert Whitman Litchfield died on Sunday evening, March 1, 2009 at the Harborside Nursing Home in Falmouth. He was 70.

Bob was married to Patricia (Metell) Litchfield for almost 50 years. He was born in New York city on June 9, 1938, the son of Norman and Isabelle (Gentle) Litchfield.

Bob graduated from the Edgartown High School in 1954 and graduated from Mass Maritime in 1959. He was a Merchant Marine who served his country during the Vietnam era. Bob traveled extensively around the world as a chief engineer, holding an unlimited license. This allowed him to ship on any vessel regardless of tonnage, horsepower or ocean. He worked on the Challenger II, the Constellation, the Gulf Trader, the Far East Clipper and numerous others.

He was discharged from the Navy in December of 1967 as an ensign.

Bob accumulated many certifications during his lifetime. He attended the Calhoun MEBA Engineering School in Baltimore, Md., and was awarded certificates of achievement in diesel engineering, welding and fire fighting. He was also licensed by Massachusetts as a refrigeration technician and as an electrician.

After retirement from the Merchant Marine, Bob went to work for the Steamship Authority as a chief engineer for 15 years.

Bob enjoyed scalloping, hunting, fishing, and loved his time with his family on the beach.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Litchfield; his son, Walter Litchfield; and Walter’s daughters, Amy Litchfield and Kristy Litchfield; a daughter Patricia Maciel, her husband, Raymond Maciel and their children, Ryan Maciel and Alicia Maciel; a sister, Linda Rose Tilton; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by two sons, Tracy in 1961 and Bobby in 1974.

A graveside service for the burial of his cremains will be held on Saturday, March 14 in the New Westside Cemetery, Robinson Road, Edgartown at 11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Stephen White.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Edgartown Firemen’s Assoc. (memo to Ambulance Fund), P.O. Box 1064, Edgartown, Ma. 02539, or the Edgartown Police Department.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.