Robert M. Lawton
Robert M. Lawton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives | |
| In office 1969–1970 | |
| Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the Belknap 2nd district | |
| In office 1970–1972 | |
| Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the Belknap 1st district | |
| In office 1972–1980 | |
| Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the Belknap 7th district | |
| In office 1994–2000 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Marcyes Lawton[1] March 2, 1931 Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | November 11, 2021 (aged 90) Concord, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 4; including David M. Lawton |
| Parent | Doris L. Thompson (mother) |
| Alma mater | Norwich University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Robert Marcyes Lawton (March 2, 1931 – November 11, 2021) was an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1969 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2000.
Life and career
Lawton was born in Akron, Ohio, the son of Richard Marcyes Lawton and Doris L. Thompson, a New Hampshire representative.[2][3] He attended Norwich University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1952.[4] After earning his degree, in 1952, he founded Funspot, an amusement arcade in Laconia, New Hampshire.[5] His amusement arcade was recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest arcade in the world.[6][7]
Lawton served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1969 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2000.[8] During his service in the House, in 1969, he introduced the bill to print the state's official state motto phrase "Live Free or Die" to appear on all non-commercial license plates.[1][9]
Death
Lawton died on November 11, 2021, at the Concord Hospital-Laconia in Concord, New Hampshire, at the age of 90.[1][10]
References
- ^ a b c "Robert Lawton Obituary (1931-2021)". Concord Monitor. November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2023 – via Legacy.com.
- ^ "Robert Marcyes Lawton". New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage Records, 1700-1971. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Ancestry.com.
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- ^ "Doris Thompson, Former Lawmaker, Dies At Age 83". Concord Monitor. Concord, New Hampshire. May 23, 1989. p. 8. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bachelor of Science In Chemistry". Norwich University Record. Vol. 44, no. 1. Northfield, Vermont: Norwich University. July 1952. p. 19. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Norwich University Archives & Special Collections.
- ^ Bookman, Todd (November 19, 2021). "Remembering Funspot founder Bob Lawton, the 'Walt Disney of the North Country'". New Hampshire Public Radio. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ "Largest videogame arcade (current)". Guinness World Records. January 12, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "お探しのページは見つかりませんでした。". 女性向けアダルトサイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ New Hampshire Register and Legislative Manual, Tower Publishing Company, 1979
- ^ "Bill to Increase N.H. Legacy Tax Field in House". Nashua Telegraph. Nashua, New Hampshire. April 8, 1969. p. 2. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bob Lawton, owner of world's largest arcade, dies at 90". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2023.