Final Salute

Robert Edward Henley, 78, passed away December 19th 2024, at his home where he stepped into the presence of Jesus Christ and heard the words he’d longed to hear his whole life. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23 Born on the eastern shore on July 22nd 1946 to Robert and Marion Henley, he was the only son of two children.
He spent summers in high school and through junior college working with his sister Nancy’s husband, Bobby Fooks, who was a contractor at the time. This gave him key training in woodworking, and in his early years as a teacher, he pursued a dream of opening his own business selling grandfather clocks and cabinet making.
In 1968 while in junior college, he joined the navy enlisting as a Seabee during the Vietnam War. After being discharged, he married Linda Joyce Henley of Philadelphia, PA and then attended seminary. They had four children and were married for fifty-two years.
In 1980 Robert was called to pastor Grace Baptist Church in Middlebury, Vermont for forty-four years where he lived and taught at Middlebury High School as the beloved woodshop teacher. After retiring from teaching, he dedicated a large portion of his life to serving the Middlebury and Bristol communities.
Using his expert craftsmanship, he built his home of thirty-six years and his boat that brought his family joy as they traveled Lake Champlain, the Hudson River, and a few jaunts into the Ocean and Inland Waterways. Sailing was a huge passion in his life, along with audiobooks and going on the family’s annual vacation to Ocean City, New Jersey.
Robert leaves behind his wife Linda Henley, his five children Tammie Chenoweth, Jennifer Burrows, Robert Henley, James Henley, and Lisa LaRose along with six grandkids, his sister Nancy Humphreys, his niece Sharon Fooks, and his two beloved dogs, Ollie and Ginger.
He is predeceased by parents Robert and Marion Henley and his nephew Robert Henley.
A celebration of life will be held at Valley Bible Church 322 East Main Street, Middlebury Vermont 05753 at 2:00 pm December 28th 2024.
His legacy of sermons can be listened to at https://www.gracebaptistmiddlebury.com
Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Baptist Church.
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