Richard Harding Carter

Richard Harding Carter, 84, passed away at Maine Medical Center on August 1, 2016, surrounded by his adoring family. He was a beloved and adored husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, educator, and colleague. “Dick” was born on May 29, 1932, in Bristol, Maine, where he grew up and met the love of his life, Gladys Hall, whom he married and enjoyed 64 years of a wonderful marriage. They met at Bristol High School and married after graduating from college. Dick received his B.S. from Gorham State Teachers’ College (now USM) and received his M.S. from the University of Maine at Orono. He attended Boston University for his doctoral program in engineering. Dick was an avid baseball player through high school and was invited to try out for the Boston Red Sox in 1950, but he broke his arm prior to camp. Dick began his long and distinguished career in education at Bath Junior High before taking a position as an industrial engineering professor at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, where he taught and served as the Assistant Dean as well as worked with countless students developing the university’s internship program. He continued to work tirelessly to place students in internships and co-ops even after his official retirement. Dick served in the Naval Reserves from 1950 to 1955, and embodied a strong sense of patriotism for his country. Dick and Gladys moved to Gorham in 1964, where they raised their family and lived happily for 50 years before recently moving to Falmouth. Dick was an extremely active member of the community serving on the Gorham Economic Development Board, the Historical Society, and the Gorham Republican committee. A particular source of pride for Dick was his involvement in the USM Senior College for which he served as one of five founding members in 1994. Dick’s family spent summers on the coast in Round Pond. While enjoying the family cottage, he also sold cars for his longtime friend, Bob Strong, at Strong Chevrolet in Damariscotta. This “summer job” lasted 30 years. He loved working with returning customers and driving the newest cars each year. Dick loved his work with USM, and he also enjoyed golfing, woodworking, boating, fishing, traveling, coin collecting, listening to big band jazz, and watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. His favorite past time, however, was spending time at their cottage in Round Pond, Maine, where he used to lobster when he was in high school. Round Pond was an especially important place for the whole family as a place to escape, celebrate, and spend time with family and friends. There Dick loved hosting a big 4th of July party each year. Dick and Gladys traveled extensively. One favorite vacation spot was their place in Kissimmee Florida, which they loved sharing with others. While the list of accolades and accomplishments could go on, Dick’s greatest source of pride was his family. He was his grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gladys (Hall) Carter, two daughters, Beth (Carter) Goodrich and her husband Jim Goodrich, Lucille (Carter) Bowers and her husband Jeff Bowers, a special niece, Susan (Hall) Karass and her husband Ed Karass, four adored grandchildren, David, Carter, Joe, and MacKenzie and nephew, John Karass and niece Anna (Karass) Ross. A celebration of Dick’s life will be held on Monday, August 8th at 11 a.m., at the University of Southern Maine’s Kenneth Brooks Student Center on the Gorham Campus. Dick and Gladys became enthusiastic Husky basketball fans, so in lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory may be made to USM Athletic Association, Costello Sports Complex, 37 College Avenue, Gorham, ME 04038 attn: Al Bean.

Richard Harding Carter

May 29, 1932 - August 1, 2016

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