Robert King Sexton

Robert King Sexton, 85, of Little Compton, RI, peacefully passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Born on November 26, 1931, he was the son of the late Robert Bond Sexton and the late Jessie Francis King.A graduate of Melrose High School, Class of 1950, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University. Robert proudly and honorably served our country from 1952 until 1954 in the United States Army. A resident of Little Compton, he previously lived in Newport and Saunderstown, RI, New York City, Woods Hole, MA, and Melrose, MA. Robert was the Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island for twenty-five years before retiring in 1990. Robert was previously employed as a Research Technician for many years at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, NY, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Robert was the beloved father of Molly Sexton of Newport, RI, and Sara (Sexton) Widenhouse of Asheville, NC; and the adoring grandfather of Rome Widenhouse and Sirus Widenhouse of Asheville, NC. He was the dear brother of Andrew W. Sexton of Waquoit, MA, and Laurence Sexton of Charleston, SC; and the uncle of Bonnie Sexton King of Jacksonville, FL. He was the former husband of Katherine Polsky Vivian Sexton.All services will be private.The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Robert's dear friends and long time, dedicated care-givers, Martha Barrows and William Platt. Their loving assistance has been invaluable.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200