Robert “Bobby” Waite

Robert “Bobby” Waite, age 78, son of Katherine Merotta Waite and Ashael Miles Waite, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on November 12, 2023. Bobby grew up in Weston, Vermont where he attended the Weston Village School, Burr & Burton Academy, and the University of Vermont. While teaching skiing at Stratton Mountain in 1966, he met his future wife, Sarah (Sally) English. They married in 1967, raised three boys, and settled in Landgrove, Vermont where he remained until his death. Bobby started his business career as a realtor in 1967, quickly succeeding and eventually buying out his partners and creating Waite Associates. Over the next four decades, he helped buy and sell hundreds of properties and homes, and gained a vast knowledge of the local lands, always keeping an eye out for the best house sites, views, pond sites, and stone walls. His clients loved Bobby, as he helped negotiate the best deals, navigate the closing process, and advise them on how to build, renovate, or subdivide their homes and lands. Eventually, he realized it was best for him and his clients to actually build their homes, and starting in the early 1990 he began his contracting venture, Waite Management, and built dozens of stately homes. Early in his business, he realized the importance of the Londonderry Shopping Center and as General Partner, he expanded it several times to bring in the bank, new restaurants, the post office, and other businesses. Other ventures followed, including Weston Island Ventures for a gravel pit, homes and soccer fields, and Bridport Ventures, to fulfill his life-long dream of owning a dairy farm. Along the way, he helped found the Green Mountain Bank and sat on the Board for 15 years. He also found time for good causes, most notably helping found the Mountain Valley Health Center, as well as fund raising for The MS Society and Planned Parenthood. In addition to good causes, he sat on many Boards, including as Vice President of the Vermont Association of Realtors and President of the South Central Vermont Board of Realtors where he was voted Board Realtor of the year in 1977 and 1994. He also loved volunteering for the Town of Landgrove, holding positions for many years as Lister, Road Commissioner, and Planning Commission member. He always found time for his family. His generosity was directed toward his sons, providing them the confidence, means, and invaluable advice to pursue their careers. His extended family loved Bobby as a role model and as the fun-loving uncle with a wink. Bobby is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sarah English Waite, by his sons Miles (Stefanie) of Burlington, Vt, Timothy (Marcia) of Richmond, Vt, and Jared (Danielle) of Georgia, Vt, his seven grandchildren who knew him as Papa, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother John Waite and his family. There will be a celebration of life for Bobby in the spring of 2024. Bobby’s family would like to extend deep appreciation to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont & New Hampshire, and request any donations be made in his memory to the Mountain Valley Medical Clinic and the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad.