A Massachusetts man who died in a Lake Winnipesaukee plane crash on Saturday was remembered by friends and family for his love of travel.
Robert W. Ashe, Jr., 70, died after his Cessna 150 aircraft went down into Lake Winnipesaukee in Gilford, New Hampshire, according to his obituary.
It had crashed roughly 200 yards from Ellacoya State Park shortly before 7:45 p.m. Saturday, according to authorities. He was the only person aboard the plane.
Ashe was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts on Aug. 23, 1953 but raised in Billerica and graduated from Billerica High School with the class of 1972. He later graduated from Northeastern University and spent many years as an aerospace engineer. He retired from United Technologies Corporation in 2015.
“He was an avid aviator and moved to an aviation community in West Ossipee in 2020,” his obituary read. “Along with flying, he enjoyed trips on his motorcycle and traveling around the world. He spent many trips visiting family and friends.”
Greg Hopkins remembered his friend as the “ultimate free spirit.”
“By boat, bike and plane, Bobby spread his good will across the globe,” Hopkins wrote. “He was a Giver, offering, at a drop of his hat, his time, expertise and wealth to many in need … I will miss him. We were last together at his home in Ossippee in August. I videoed his take-off from the grass strip. Doing what he loved to do. He slowly climbed into the blue sky, living life to its fullest. I believe Bobby is still soaring now, on the wings of angels. He earned it.”
