BANGOR – Richard “Duke” Nolte, 83, died Feb. 26, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. He was born May 31, 1928, in St. Louis, son of William H. and Mary L. (Schaffer) Nolte.
He served in the U.S. Marines. In 1948, Duke began a 37-year career with the Coca-Cola Co. He worked in St. Louis and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and ended his career in Florida, retiring in 1985 from Tampa Coca-Cola. After his retirement, he moved to Maine and worked for a brief time in real estate with Dave Sleeper. He enjoyed collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia, which led him to start his own antiques and collectibles business, Riverport Antiques, with his wife, Charlotte. He was a self-made man, respected by all as an honest and fair gentleman. He was beloved by anyone who met him and a stranger to no one. He was a former member of Bangor Rotary, Noontime Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Surviving are his wife, Charlotte Nolte of Bangor; two daughters, Stephanie Whitford of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Nicole Pishkur Prokey and husband, Rob, of Gray; two granddaughters, Cali and Hayley; and another grandchild expected in August. He is also survived by nephews, Bill Nolte, Bob Nolte and Bill Fox; nieces, Mary Nolte, Anne Gunn, Patrice Becker, Jeanne Dixon and Brigid Secrist and their families; and a friend and right hand man, Gino McLaughlin. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, William Nolte Jr.; two sisters, Lillian Fox and Mary Louise White; niece, Kathy Fox Forti; and nephew, Tom Fox.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial gathering, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. Gifts in his memory may be sent to Wounded Warrior Program, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.