PRESTON BROWN RAND

BANGOR – Preston Brown Rand, 89, died peacefully April 27, 2010, surrounded by his loving family at his home. He was born Jan. 4, 1921, in Bangor, son of Alfred A. and Julia Abby (Brown) Rand. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Deborah I. (Drinkwater) Rand of Bangor; his children and their spouses: two daughters, Linda R. Clark and her husband, Roger, of Glenville, N.Y., and Lorna H. Willey and her husband, N. Laurence Willey Jr., of Bangor, and one son, Lindsay P. Rand and his wife, Susan Braus, of Hingham, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Sarah L. Clark, Matthew R. Clark and his wife, Carrie, Ezra A. R. Willey and his wife, Sara Jean, Josiah L. R. Willey and his wife, Emily, Monica J. Willey, Emily L. Rand and Alison J. Rand; one great-granddaughter, Lola J. Willey; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Emily A. Henderson and Charlotte H. Bruhn; and one brother, A. Abbot Rand. Preston attended Bangor schools and graduated from the University of Maine in 1943. He served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for three years during World War II. Preston was employed for 2 1/2 years at Maine Potato Growers, Inc., Presque Isle, in the late 1940s. He was secretary to the chief of police in Bangor, 1951-1954. In 1954, he became an official court reporter in the state superior and supreme courts. Preston was the first person in the history of state of Maine courts to employ the stenograph machine to record verbatim testimony. He served 20 years in that capacity. In 1974, he retired from the courts and became active as a free-lance reporter throughout eastern Maine until final retirement in 1985. He was secretary-treasurer of Maine Court Reporters Association, 1955-1973. He served two three-year terms on Brewer Superintending School Committee, being chairman in 1965; one five-year term on Brewer High School Trustees, chairman in 1975; and two three-year terms as a Brewer Cemetery Trustee, chairman in 1986. He was president of Brewer PTA when it then comprised the Washington, State Street, Excelsior and Dirigo schools. Preston was Scoutmaster for a troop sponsored by Bangor Police Department and assistant Scoutmaster for a troop sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Brewer. He and his wife, Deborah, were foster parents for a Korean son, Ji Chi An. Preston has written extensive genealogies of his descendants in Maine and New England, the Rand and Brown families. He was an avid camper, being the first secretary of Penobscot Valley Campers Association when it was organized early in 1960. He was instrumental in organizing two state of Maine chapters of National Holiday Ramblers Travel Trailer Club and was Maine state manager for 11 years. In 1966, he was the only New Englander receiving one of six national awards for outstanding service in that organization. Preston was a pianist and organist. Photography was another interest, and he belonged to Eastern Maine Camera Club, often exhibiting photographs at Bangor Fair photo shows. He was still downhill skiing in his 80s. Preston was superintendent of the church school at All Souls Congregational Church, 1950-1959. Likewise, at First United Methodist Church, Brewer, he was superintendent for eight years and held several other important church positions. Preston returned to All Souls Church in 1975, serving as a deacon, trustee, clerk, historian and mentor to confirmands. He was scribe for Penobscot-Piscataquis Association, 1981-1984, and clerk of Maine Conference, UCC, 1981-1990. Preston was a member of Eastern Maine Advisory Council of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He was a life member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Maine, Orono, and served six years on House Corp. At the 30th reunion of the Class of 1943, University of Maine, he was elected president; at the 35th, vice president; at the 40th, 45th and 50th, secretary-treasurer and president. In May of 1999, he was given the Block “M” Award by General Alumni Association of the University of Maine for leadership and participation. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at All Souls Congregational Church, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, the Rev. Renee U. Garrett, master of divinity minister of Christian Nurture, and the Rev. Dr. Rex H. Garrett, officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Those who wish to remember Preston in a special way may make gifts in his memory to All Souls Congregational Church Memorial Fund, Music Program, 10 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.