YORK – Lt. Col. Hervey B. Carpenter, U.S. Air Force, retired, died Friday, July 17, 2009, at Huntington Commons, Kennebunk. He was born June 20, 1917, in Greenville, son of the late Karl and Vera (Cole) Carpenter. He graduated from Mattanawcook Academy, Lincoln; and entered military service in 1935, graduating from Army Air Corps Flight Training School as a second lieutenant and pilot in 1941. He was also a graduate of the Air Tactical School at Tyndall Field, Fla., and the U.S. Air Force Special Staff School at Gunter Field, Ala. During World War II, he served two tours of duty as a fighter pilot in the Southwest Pacific Theatre, becoming a squadron commander during his second tour of duty there. He also served in the Caribbean area and in North Africa. Among his decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters. After retiring from the Air Force in 1957, he resided in York and was employed as a purchasing agent for Colonial Aircraft Co. and Lake Aircraft Co., both of Sanford, and also as a buyer for the Portland division of E. W. Bliss Co., Portland. He also served as town clerk and tax collector for the town of York. He was a member of First Parish Church and served as a deacon. He was an avid amateur radio operator and member of Port City Amateur Radio Club of Portsmouth. He was a member of Green Mountain Chapter of the Retired Officers Association, 8th Fighter Group Association and 340 Fighter Squadron Association. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Kathleen F. (Ludden) Carpenter; a son, James R. Carpenter and his wife, Mimi; a daughter, Laurie Lee Rowan and her husband, Thomas, of Kittery; a sister, Jacqueline Gaspadarek and her husband, Charles, of Phoenix; four grandchildren, Daniel Bennett, E. Andrew Bennett, Warren Bennett and Fontessa Carpenter; a great-grandson, Henry Schwartz; nieces and nephews. Three brothers, Carlton, Henry and Gerald Carpenter; and four sisters, Mary Olvis, Barbara Hardy, Helen Peaco and Carolyn Tobias, predeceased him. A funeral service for Mr. Carpenter will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at First Parish Congregational Church, 180 York St., York. Calling hours will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Road, York. Memorial contributions may be made to York Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 238, York, ME 03909. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.
LT. COL. HERVEY B. CARPENTER
