MANCHESTER – Edwin F. Libby, 81, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, following a brief illness. He was born in Bangor on Jan. 27, 1940, the son of the late Lawrence P. and Barbara (Froberger) Libby. Mr. Libby was predeceased by his half brother, J. Palmer Libby.

Mr. Libby was a graduate of Bangor High School (1957). He attended the University of Maine at Orono, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1962, followed by a Master’s degree in Education in 1967. After graduating from college, Mr. Libby taught English at Brewer High school for 6 years. He was then employed by the University of Maine at Augusta, where for many years he served as the Director of Special Services, as an advisor for international students, and as a professor of English and Language Arts, teaching developmental reading and technical writing for 35 years. He retired in 2005.

Mr. Libby had a lifelong interest in collecting and studying military firearms; he was a firearms researcher, specializing in the Japanese military firearms of World War II, who was an acknowledged expert in the field. Mr. Libby was invited by many museums to identify artifacts and to help classify various components of field artillery and munitions. In addition, he worked on research projects for such museums as the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, the USMC Air-Ground Museum at Quantico, VA, and the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., among others. Closer to home, Mr. Libby donated artifacts and research materials to the Maine Military Historical Society at Camp Keyes, as many men from Maine fought in the Pacific during World War II. Mr. Libby valued his collaborations with collectors and scholars around the world, some from as far away as Japan, and he wrote and published articles about his research in many scholarly and military publications. Ever a teacher, he enjoyed sharing his skills and knowledge about history with other enthusiasts.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Brenda Perry Libby of Manchester; his son, Matthew E. Libby and his companion Suparinya Mungtanya of Belgrade, two daughters, Laura A. Libby of Skowhegan and her husband Charles Veilleux, and Suzanne M. Libby of Belmont, Mass.; five grandchildren, Amanda J. Lawrence, Joanna M. Veilleux, Sadie B. Libby, Sophia M. Libby, and Emma C. Libby; and three great- grandchildren, Julia, Owen, and Molly.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, August 6 from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta where a memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at a later date. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made to:

Maine Military Historical Society Museum

194 Winthrop St.

Augusta, ME 04330

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