RICHARD ‘DICK’ M. PIERCE

DIXFIELD – Richard “Dick” M. Pierce, 88, died June 3, 2008, at Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington. He was born Feb. 21, 1920, in Gardiner, to Dr. William T. and Marjorie (Nason) Pierce. Dick was a wonderful man and exceptional father. He loved to have his family together for the holidays. He also loved to share his knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Maine outdoors during leisurely strolls through the woods and fields near his home. He was also a “dog person” and was never too busy to stop and give a scratch behind the ear of any four-footed friend he encountered. He will be greatly missed by his family. Dick attended schools in Gardiner and graduated high school in 1937. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono, and valedictorian of his Class in 1943. Dick then attended officers training at Fort Benning, Ga., before leaving the states for war in Europe in 1944, as a replacement soldier for the 28th Infantry during the D-Day Invasion. He was later captured by the German’s in the Battle of the Bulge and was a prisoner of war for eight months, before being liberated by U.S. troops at the end of the war, receiving several medals; United Nations Service Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster and two Bronze Star Medals, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Medals and a Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster. In 1946 after the war, he was discharged and became employed by the Maine Forest Service as a fire warden stationed in Daaquam. He then decided to pursue a career in wood technology, attending Yale University, where he earned a master’s degree in wood technology, graduating eighth in his class. He then became employed by Piasicki Helicopters, Swathmoor, Pa., constructing wooden rotor blades. He later became employed by Timber Engineering Co., Washington, D.C., as a researcher for new wood processing technologies. In 1950, he and his wife returned to Maine, at which time he became employed with Fosters Manufacturing Co. He remained with Fosters for 14 years with a year and a half off to serve in the Korean War as a combat engineer and later discharged as a captain. He left Fosters in 1968 as vice president of production and engineering with a patent on part of the design of the wooden clothespin. He then was employed in Old Town as mill manager for Lily Tulip Cup Co., the largest paper cup manufacturing company in the U.S. at the time. In 1980, Owens-Illinois bought out Lily Tulip and decided to move the mill to Cranberry, N.J., where they offered him a position, which he declined. In 1981 Dick moved to Dixfield and worked for Highland Lumber Co. as vice president for six years and retired in 1987. After retiring, Dick kept busy gardening, working in his wood shop and was involved in numerous organizations, committees and councils. He was an Eagle Scout, involved in student government at the University of Maine at Orono; various honor societies; president of his fraternity; Alpha Tau Omega, valedictorian of his Class; Bangor Planning Board; selectman in Dixfield; treasurer of Maine Forest Products Council; treasurer of Maine Tree Farm; treasurer of Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine; treasure for Maine Learning Tree; board of directors for Maine Tree Foundation; executive committee of Maine Municipal Association and Municipal Advisory Committee to Gov. Angus King; board of directors for River Valley Growth Council; board of directors for River Valley Tech. Council; sat on the board for Northern Oxford Solid Waste; as well as a member of the American Legion and VFWHe is survived by his daughter, Marjorie and her husband, Ron Gulyas, of Waterbury, Vt.; son, Richard and his wife, Terri, of Industry; son, David and his wife, Maggie, of Portage; two grandchildren, Caitlin Pierce of Industry and Mason Pierce of Portage; as well as two stepgrandsons, Logan and Brandon Dudley of Industry; and his German shepherd, Lady. He is predeceased by his first wife, Rita M. (Buckley) Pierce; his father, Dr. William T. Pierce; mother, Marjorie (Nason) Pierce; and his brother, Phillip Pierce. The family expresses their sincere thanks to the staff at Franklin Memorial Hospital and Pinewood Terrace Assisted Living Facility for their exceptional care. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. June 7 at Wiles Remembrance Center, 42 Weld St., Dixfield. Family and friends are invited to call 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 6, at the center. Private family interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Gardiner. Gifts in Dick’s memory may be sent to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Plaza, Staten Island, NY 10305. Cards may be sent to his family at 407 Weld St., Dixfield, ME 04224. Words of condolence may be sent to wilesfunerahomes@verizon.net.