WEST GARDINER – Richard L. Chapman, Sr., 84, of West Gardiner, died unexpectedly but peacefully surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at the Alfond Center for Health, in Augusta. He was born in Gardiner on Feb. 23, 1937, the son of Lloyd and Helen (Peacock) Chapman.

Dick, also known as “Chappy,” was a 1956 graduate of Gardiner High School where he was an outstanding football player and excelled in any sport he participated.

Dick was a 32-year employee of Central Maine Power from 1964 – 1996, most of that time he worked as a Lineworker 1st Class T & D. His family and friends remember how Dick and his fellow linemen selflessly braved countless snow and ice storms to ensure that the lights stayed on or that power was quickly restored.

Dick also served his country for more than 41 years, first serving in the United States Coast Guard for two years, then as an officer in the Maine Army National Guard until his retirement in 1997 as a CW-4. He completed both fixed wing and rotary wing (helicopter) pilot training, and spent most of his military career flying UH-1 helicopters with the 112th Medical Company (Air Ambulance)in Bangor. Dick’s last assignment was as Commander, 181st Air Traffic Control Company in Bangor.

Dick was co-owner of Clough’s Helicopter Service from 1971 – 1974. He was well known for the many fairs and events throughout central and coastal Maine where he was a regular piloting sight-seeing helicopter rides.

An avid sports fan, Dick served as a football and ice hockey official at the high school and semi-professional levels, and was past president of the Kennebec Valley Board of Maine Association of Football Officials.

Dick was very proud of his family and you would see him attending his grandchildren and great grand children’s events.

During Dick’s retirement years, he owned and operated Cloud 9 Paso Fino Horse Farm for 20 years. His true passion and joy during this time was to travel up and down the East Coast with his daughters, Beth and Kristina, showing his horses and earning numerous awards for his farm.

Dick was also a CPR and Advanced First Aid Instructor to local groups and organizations for the American Red Cross.

Dick was a 50 year member of the Morning Star Lodge #41 A.F. & A.M. in Litchfield and was a member of the Randolph United Methodist Church. He was also a past member of the West Gardiner Volunteer Fire Dept.

He was predeceased by his parents; sister Geri Vermette; and grandson Rodney Spear. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Kathleen (Barton) Chapman of West Gardiner; daughter Beth (Chapman) Kelley and husband Alan of West Gardiner, son Richard L. Chapman, Jr. and wife Candace of Georgia, and Kristina (Chapman) Lawhead and husband Andy of Scarborough; sister Jean (Chapman) Cole and husband Norman of Canada, brothers David Chapman and his wife Jane of Gardiner and Steven Chapman and his wife Carole of Sidney; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 18, from 4-7 p.m. with a Masonic service at 5pm, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner; a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Randolph United Methodist Church, Amesbury Street, Randolph at 1 p.m. A full military committal service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m., at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made to:

Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care

in Augusta, Maine or:

American Cancer Society in Topsham, Maine

in memory of his grandson

Rodney R. Spear

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