WINTERPORT – Dr. Richard Fremont Saunders, 87, passed away peacefully April 27, 2013. Richard was born June 8, 1925, in Buffalo, N.Y. Raised by parents, Jacob and Myra Belyea Saunders.
Richard grew up in Monmouth where he met his wife Geraldine Pettengill Saunders. The couple attended Monmouth Academy together graduating in the class 1943 and married at North Monmouth Congregational Church in 1948. Richard and Gerry were going to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary next month. During high school, Richard was an officer of National Future Farmers of America and quarterback of Monmouth Academy’s 1943 six man football state championship team. Richard bravely served during World War II in the 11th Airborne Division, Pacific Theater. After the war, Richard returned to Maine and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Maine going on to earn his doctorate in marketing and agricultural economics at Cornell University. He was a professor of economics and business at the University of Maine and Husson College, a management consultant with Arthur D. Little Inc., followed by 15 years of working abroad for Robert R. Nathan Associates as a consultant and project manager in economic development and business. However, one of the highlights of Richard’s career was having the opportunity to work with Dr. Muhammad Yunus on the Grameen Bank project in Bangladesh. Richard, Gerry and their three children lived in Afghanistan and several African countries. The Saunders family traveled extensively throughout Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Richard and Gerry retired to Winterport where they took pleasure in spending time with family, exploring coastal Maine, reading and attending dinner dances with the Saturday Nighters.
Richard is predeceased by son, Kent Saunders; sister, Dorothy Saunders O’Toole; and brother-in-law, John R. Pettengill Jr. Richard is survived by his wife Geraldine Pettengill Saunders; daughter, Jane Saunders McCarthy of Winterport and her daughters, Molly, Caitlin and Quincy; son, Ross Owen Saunders and wife, Ann, and daughters, Adelle and Alana and son, Reece, all of Saco. Richard is also survived by many close members of the Pettengill family in Leeds including Gilbert and Rodney Pettengill, Geraldine’s younger brothers of whom he loved as his own. Richard was a fine, caring and passionate man who will be deeply missed by his family, friends, Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers, fellow Saturday Nighters and all others who enjoyed his wealth of knowledge and stories of traveling the world.
In memory of Dr. Richard Saunders, an open house will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the family home, 55 Merrill Lane, Winterport. All are invited to celebrate in his memory.
Dr. Richard Fremont Saunders
