Robert Allen Rivers, 80, of Haverhill, passed away Thursday, April 20, surrounded by his family at Penacook Place in Haverhill.
Rivers was born in Haverhill, Nov. 8, 1936, son of the late Harland and Ethel (Smith) Rivers. He attended Haverhill Schools and graduated from Haverhill Trade School in 1954. He served 20 years in the United States Navy as an Aviation Boatswain Mate. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, having been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Award and the National Defense Service Medal. Rivers retired in 1975 from the military after honorably serving for more than two decades. He enjoyed working in the antique business after retirement and was a lifelong resident of Haverhill.
Rivers is survived by three sons, Jeff Rivers and wife Karen of Fremont, N.H., Robert Rivers and his long time girlfriend Cathy Eldredge of Bradford, and Scott Rivers; two daughters, Denise Mouncey of Summertown, Tenn., and Barbara Mann and husband Robert of Hohenwald, Tenn.; brother, William E. Rivers and wife Carol; sister, Helen I. Quinney of Whitefield, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Monday, April 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill. A graveside service with military honors takes place Tuesday, April 25, at 11 a.m., at Walnut Cemetery in Haverhill.