John Bisbee 1926 - 2025
John Bisbee died October 24, 2025, shortly after his 99th birthday, at Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vermont. As with all of his beliefs – the importance of family, volunteerism and philanthropy, a woman’s right to choose, a song for every occasion, the right to ice cream at least once a day – he advocated for and ultimately embodied the concept of death with dignity as a fundamental right.
He was a gentleman in the sense that he was a very gentle man: courtly, kind, and humble. His curiosity and kindness showed in his desire to learn everyone’s stories; he meant it when he asked about you and sat with hearing aids firmly in place so he could truly listen.
He had two homes: Middlesex School, where his father reigned as a stern headmaster, and Fisher Hill, his parents’ farmhouse in Fayston, Vermont, where he spent his summers and eventually moved full time. He married Margaret (Kim) Bisbee with whom he had four children, and later married Brenda Bradley Bisbee, thereby gaining two stepsons. He was educated at Harvard (AB, astronomy) and Case Institute Technology (MS, Astronomy).
,As an engineer in the aerospace industry, John developed optical systems for reconnaissance during the Cold War, but refused to work on any weapon-related projects. He then transitioned to space exploration, helping design the first camera that landed on the surface of Mars, and cameras for locating options for the first moon landing. He was very proud of his prowess with the lost art of a slide rule and later spread sheets; to the very end of his life, he was analyzing data on the detrimental effects of the abolishment of Roe v. Wade on women. He continued to pursue his passion for woodworking until his late 80s, crafting beautiful furniture and creating unique woodworking jigs.
In retirement he and his wife Brenda volunteered full time. After serving as a hospice visitor for a decade he became a guardian ad litem for the next 29 years, working in the interest of children in court cases in Burlington. Connecting these two areas he commented, “Dying is part of life, but neglecting children should not be.” On his retirement from that work, he was feted and issued a State proclamation; with his tongue firmly in cheek he noted that his proclamation had nine “whereas” clauses, a number which he then compared to proclamations received by other Wake Robin residents.
John was predeceased by his wife Brenda Bradley Bisbee and is survived by Michael Bisbee (Sigrid McCabe) of Socorro County, NM; Daniel Bisbee (Connie Bisbee) of Crestview, FL; Alice Bisbee of Hull, MA; Janet Bisbee of Duxbury, VT; Brad Simonds (Morgan Smeraldi) of Sugarloaf Key, FL; Joshua Simonds (Hilary Simonds) of South Burlington, VT; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
We are deeply indebted to the staff at Wake Robin who showered him with love and care in his final years. Very few missed his ribbing and virtually all gave as good as they got. Claire, on a daily basis, checked his magnificent lies. Ron, who John dissed for wearing a Yankees baseball cap, finally resorted to posting an official notice in the dining room saying that those wearing Red Sox paraphernalia were not to be served. Others expressed their love with milkshakes and cookies, songs and wordplay, and always lots and lots of hugs.
