Robert Brian Banks

Robert B. Banks of Buchanan passed away peacefully on September 25, 2019 surrounded by loved ones at the age of 86. Robert was born on June 6, 1933 in White Plains, New York, the oldest of four children born to Raymond I. Banks and Nellie MacKay Banks. Robert was a dedicated boy scout and earned the rank of eagle scout, the highest rank achievable in the boy scouts. Robert had hoped to be a park ranger and was an avid outdoorsman, who would go hunting, fishing and camping every chance he got. Robert Graduated from Chapman Tech High School, New London, Connecticut in 1951 and went on to study engineering for two years at the University of Connecticut, while working days building a pharmacy before joining the Air Force. He served at Lauren Air Force Base in Maine for six years during the Korean War as a Radar Technician and was honorably discharged. Robert married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth (Bets) Callahan in the summer of 1955 and is the proud father of two boys, Robert B. Banks Jr. and David D. Banks. Robert was a Master Carpenter who started his own carpentry business building and remodeling homes in Connecticut. In the 1980's the developer he worked for stopped building, so Robert moved down to Washington, D.C. to work with his brother Skip, where he met his second wife Pam. Robert married Pam in 1986 and is stepfather to Christopher and Heather Gilbo. They were married on the last day of hunting season so that Bob would always remember when his anniversary was. Robert was a resident of Old Lyme, Connecticut for over 25 years. He served his community by being an active member of the Old Lyme Fire Department for 15 years and he continued to be a volunteer firefighter in each of the areas he lived in until he was into his 70's. Robert was a Selectman for the town of Unity, NH and was a 50 year member of the Masonic Temple as well a life member of the American Legion. Robert leaves his wife Pam; his sister, Carol Anne Lewis, and brother, Skip; his son, Robert B. Banks, Jr. and his wife, Mary, of Westbrook, CT; David D. Banks and his wife, Tonya of East Lyme, CT; His stepchildren, Christopher and Heather; His grandchildren, Sean, Kristi and her husband, Dan, Andrew and his wife, Evita, Michael, Christine; nine great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth J. Banks, his brother, David L. Banks Sr., his brother-in-law, Charles Lewis, and his grandson, Nicholas Banks. Family and friends will have a celebration of his life at the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 11 am.