A smiling Mervin F. Roberts is pictured here at his home in Old Lyme on Oct. 31 in Old Lyme. Mr. Roberts passed away Dec. 29, 2020. Photo by Sam Reid.

OLD LYME — It is with great sadness that we report the death in the early hours of Wednesday, Dec. 30, of Mervin F. Roberts, 98, of Old Lyme.

Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold commented exclusively to LymeLine.com on Mr. Roberts’s passing, saying, “With the passing of Merv Roberts, Old Lyme has lost one of its most remarkable citizens. He was a Town Citizen of the Year, a Town Selectman, Chaplain of the Old Lyme Fire Department and active in so many other ways.”

Old Lyme Fire Department (OLFD) Chaplain Mervin Roberts pictured in his OLFD uniform at his home in May 2020.

Griswold added, “As his body became more frail, I think his mind became sharper. Just last September, Merv, as a Shellfish Commissioner, wrote a letter to the National Railroad Corp. asking whether any toxic ingredients would be used in the concrete, paint or steel used to build the new railroad bridge over the Connecticut River.  Not bad for a 98-year-old.”

In conclusion, Griswold said, “We shall miss his interesting speeches at the Memorial Day Parade observances. I feel privileged to have known Merv and thank him for all he did for Old Lyme.”

Editor’s Note: I too am proud to have known Mr. Roberts. He was an extraordinary man and such a mine of information. He wrote several op-ed’s for LymeLine and was never hesitant to give his opinions on a wide range of topics. He led an amazing life and wrote several books. He gave me an autographed copy of one and it is one of my most treasured possessions to this day.

Michele Dickey wrote a wonderful article about Mr. Roberts in May of this year in which he reflected on his 50 years service as Chaplain of the Old Lyme Fire Department. We also published an article including a video of Mr. Roberts reading his final Memorial Day Homily aloud.

Finally, through a recent fortuitous series of events, LymeLine helped connect a boat named the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ with the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) in Kittery Point, Maine. The President of the WILSSA, Sam Reid, came to Old Lyme to meet in person with Mr. Roberts. The boat has now been transported to Maine to be restored in the WILSSA Maritime Museum and Mr. Roberts was very happy with that outcome.

A fundraising campaign is underway locally to assist with the expense of moving the boat. Read our article covering the whole story of the boat, why it is so named, and why it is such an important find for the WILSSA at this link.

Patricia Ayers Chase Saltsman

OLD LYME — Patricia Ayers Chase Saltsman, 83, died in Mystic CT on December 29, 2020. She was born November 29th 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Campbell B. and Caroline Ayers Chase.

Patricia graduated from East Grand Rapids HS in Michigan, at the age of 16 in 1953. She earned her degree at Ohio Wesleyan University. After graduation she moved to Hartford Connecticut to attend graduate school at the University of Connecticut. 

She married Joseph Lawes (deceased in 1969) in 1963. Her only child Wendy Chase Myers Logan was born in 1964. Following her divorce in 1968, she met and married Robert G. Myers (deceased in 2005) in 1969 and moved to Haddam Neck CT. She worked for Region 13 and went back to earn her Certificate in Special Education. She was Pupil Personnel Director for 15 years.

In 1981 she divorced Robert G. Myers and moved to Wallingford CT. In 1988 she joined the Connecticut State Dept. of Education as a compliance officer for Special Education statewide. 

In October 1999 she and Charles M. Saltsman were married, after 12 years together. She worked and consulted with the state until at the request of her husband Charlie she took early retirement in 1998, so that they could travel together. 

Their travels took them to Egypt, New Zealand, Fiji, Europe, Vieques Island and on their boat around the waters of New England. They were together for 18 years before his death in 2005. In 2006 she moved to Maine to be with Barrie Hackett, along time friend and the true love of her life. They had only 3 years together but they were very happy years, mostly spent in Gray Maine, with one winter together in Englewood Florida. He sadly predeceased her in 2009. 

Patricia was an active member of her church most of her life. She was a lifelong volunteer and on the board of various charities, including Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids Michigan and Old Lyme Congregational Church as part of the white elephant committee and the LBS. She was an incredible flower arranger and avid gardener, which led her to be involved in the Garden Club in Old Lyme. Sailing was also a great joy and she was a member of both North Cove Yacht Club and Baldwin Yacht Club. She was closely connected with Camp Newaygo in Michigan, first as a camper then as a counselor. Several of her closest friends were from her early camp days. The skills, love of music and values she learned at Camp Newaygo were in integral part of who she was her whole life. 

She is survived by her daughter Wendy of Seattle WA and her son in law Sean Logan of Seattle WA, her grandsons Phillip Logan (Jillian) of Snoqualmie WA and Andrew Logan of Shoreline WA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Patricia’s name to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371. To share a memory of Patricia or send a condolence to Wendy and her family please visit www.rwwfh.com . Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.