Richard “Dick” F. Wagner

HALLOWELL – Richard “Dick” F. Wagner passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026 after a period of declining health at the end of 95 years of a very well-lived life.

He was born on Jan. 31, 1931 in Lancaster, Pa., the son of Richard F. Wagner and Mary M. Wagner. He graduated from Rivers Country Day School and Middlebury College, where he met his future wife.

Following graduation, he entered the Navy as an aviation cadet and became a naval aviator. He served as a pilot with Patrol Squadron 23 at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, and while on active duty married Josephine “Jo” A. Eaton.

Upon his discharge, he joined CMP as an engineering assistant. Soon CMP was formalizing its development efforts with the creation of an Area Development Department. The department eventually became Industrial and Community Services, then Business and Community Services with Dick as its director.

While at CMP, Dick was president of the Economic Development Council of Maine, where as member of its Board of Regents, he played a role in the Council’s annual Economic Development Seminar. He also served as President of the Northeastern Industrial Development Assoc., chaired the Area Development Committee of the Electric Council of New England, and was a Certified Industrial Developer (CID) designate of the American Economic Development Council.

He was heavily involved in local and civic organizations, beginning with the Yarmouth Jaycees, where he served as president. He was a director of the Augusta Jaycees, committee chair of the Augusta Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Augusta Board of Trade. He became president of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce, and was campaign chair, then president, of the Kennebec Valley United Way. As a loaned executive, he served the Maine Development Foundation’s Institute on the Maine Economy.

In Manchester, he served on the Charter Commission, was Secretary of the Planning Board, and the town’s Economic Development advisor. He represented Manchester on the Winthrop Area Development Association, and the Southern Kennebec Planning and Development Council.

As an Eagle Scout, he was a long-time hiker and volunteer, serving on the Troop Committee, then Scout Master of Troop 659. This led to his becoming Kennebec Valley Advancement Chair, then Advancement Chair for the Pine Tree Council. He received the District Award of Maine, and, later, the Silver Beaver Award from the National Council, Boy Scouts.

He found time to enjoy his love of sailing with the Cobbossee Yacht Club’s Flying Tern Fleet, serving as secretary, treasurer, and captain. He participated in many cross-country ski races, Thanksgiving road races, and enjoyed cycling whenever possible, especially at Acadia National Park.

In 1965, Dick and Jo built a house on the Pond Road in Manchester, where they lived for the next 57 years. Throughout his life he developed ski trails on his property and harvested firewood, especially following the 1998 ice storm. Woods work occupied him after retiring from CMP (and editing the Maine Commercial Properties Index for several years). He also took great pleasure in the Owls Head Transportation Museum. There he volunteered for many years as a tour guide, drove a Model T Ford touring car, and joined other aviation volunteers in the construction and restoration of ancient aircraft.

Dick was a kind, generous, intelligent, wonderful man who was a gentleman to the very end. We will miss him terribly.

Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Jo; his parents; and sisters Elizabeth Parmelee and Mary Staubach.

Surviving are his son, Scott and his wife Lisa of York, his daughter, Mary Jo Wagner Dedon and her husband Tom of Cumberland; five grandchildren, Matthew, Erica, and Elizabeth Wagner, Anna and Natalie Dedon; and great-grandchildren, Levi and Bryan.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at the Baldwin Hill Conservation Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction and guidance of Roberts Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting the Roberts Funeral Home website http://www.KHRFuneralHomes.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the

Kennebec Land Trust,

United Way, the

Good Sheperd Food Bank,

or Maine Public –

all causes he generously supported during his life.