BELGRADE LAKES –

Richard Tripp died on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 surrounded by family.He was born in Gardiner in 1933, the son of the late William and Nettie Tripp.

He graduated from Hallowell High School in 1951 and then attended Colby College where he majored in sociology, graduating with high honors in 1955.

Following college graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army (1956-1958), where he served as an operating room surgical assistant at the hospital in Fort Hood, Texas. He then returned to Maine where he began working as a caseworker for the Augusta Mental Health Institute, now known as Riverview Psychiatric Hospital. It was here that he met the love of his life, Joan, while she was working as a Registered Nurse. They married in 1961, and were together for 58 years, before Joan’s death in 2019.

Richard also worked for the State of Maine in the Dept. of Personnel and later in the Dept. of Human Services.

He was a member of the South Parish Congregational Church in Augusta for many years and was also a long-time member of the Belgrade Lakes Union Church, where he spent years nurturing its growth. But, all of that was peripheral. What really mattered was that Richard was a kind, decent, caring, loving man. He loved his wife, children, and friends fiercely. He rarely complained or uttered an unkind word. His glass of Moxie was always half full. He enjoyed playing the piano, square dancing, traveling in his camper (with Joan), attending the summer fairs, cribbage, family gatherings, and a good game of Five Hundred with his dear friends the Sanborns.

He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely. He loved to take them boating on the lake, and you could often find them sitting on Papa’s lap reading a book together. He was the ultimate cheerleader for his three children, Krysia, Kenneth, and Paul. He was the continuous supportive sounding board for his daughter Krysia’s musical career. He spent countless hours listening to mock auditions, attending recitals, concerts and competitions, reading scores, marking wrong notes, playing through piano accompaniments, celebrating successes and soothing the failures. He also supported his two sons, Kenneth and Paul, in their respective lives and careers, dispensing invaluable advice.

His wife Joan had a devastating stroke in 2010, and he lovingly cared for her at their home for ten years. This was heart wrenching and difficult, but he was there for her every day until her death. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Our family won the Dad lottery, and we are heartbroken.

Richard is survived by his son Kenneth Tripp and his wife Melissa Tripp of Vermont, his son Paul Tripp and wife Julia Tripp of Poland Maine, and daughter Krysia Tripp and her partner Tom Parchman of Portland. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jocelyn Tripp, Tyler Tripp and Logan Tripp; and great-grandchildren, Gavin and Abigail Tripp.

A memorial service and party at his request are planned for the summer when we can all gather safely outdoors. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta.

Condolences to the family may be shared on the obituary page of the website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.