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1940
2016
Richard Arthur Kidder, 76
TOPSHAM - Richard Arthur Kidder, of 30 Governors Way, Topsham, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July, 15, 2016. He previously lived in Gardiner, Farmingdale, Augusta, and Belgrade Lakes, Maine and in Ocala, Fla.
Dick was born in Gardiner, May 16, 1940, the son of Bernard and Katherine Kidder. He graduated from Gardiner High School in 1958 and from Maine Central Institute in 1960. He graduated from Farmington State Teachers College in 1964. He received his Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Southern Maine in 1972.
For 32 years he taught and held administrative positions in the Augusta school system. He was Director of the Capital Area Technical Center for 14 years and retired from the field of education in 1995. As a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserves for 22 years, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a talented home builder and designed his own homes and built many others in the Augusta area.
The most important thing to Dick was his family. He was a proud and supportive father and grandfather. He was never shy in expressing his pride and affection for his family and their many achievements.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Ochmanski) Kidder of 56 years of Topsham; a daughter and son-in-law Kristina and Dennis Wheelock of Gardiner and grandsons Joshua Wheelock of Bethlehem, Pa. and Alexander Wheelock of Portland, Maine; a son and daughter- in-law Richard A. Kidder II and Leslie Kidder and granddaughters Elisabeth Kidder and Abigail Kidder of Davidson, North Carolina; and a daughter Kathryn Kidder of Portland He was predeceased by his parents and has a surviving brother Bernard Kidder and his wife Susan of Randolph, and a sister Carol Ann Bach of Jacksonville, Fla. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 1 Lincoln Ave., Gardiner, on Tuesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. A private burial with the immediate family will be held at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery.
The family would like to thank CHANS Hospice and the staff at Governor King Community at the Highlands, Topsham, for all their love, support and caring. Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home 53 Brunswick Ave Gardiner, ME.
Memorial contributions
may be made to:
Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation
205 Regency Park Drive, Suite 102
Charlotte, NC 28217 or
JDRF.org
Alzheimer's Association of Maine
383 US Rt. One, Suite 2C
Scarborough, ME 04074 or:
CATC School Wide
Scholarship Fund
40 Pierce Dr., Suite 3
Augusta, ME 04330
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Staples Funeral Home - Gardiner.
RICHARD, BUDDY AND CARO ANN ..WERE OUR NEXT DOOR FRIENDS BEFORE WE EVER STARTED SCHOOL SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES...MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO His FAMILY...
Mary Jean Trott
August 28, 2016
Betty,
Bill and I were so sorry to hear about your loss. Bill fondly remembers having Dick as his 7th grade social studies teacher. I can picture him dressed in his Hawaiian attire at Verna's Halloween party where we all shared some good laughs. I believe he was Don Ho that night.
Nancy & Bill Dowling
July 23, 2016
My condolences on your loss.
John Burrell
Field Agent
Knights of Columbus
July 23, 2016
Betty, Carol Ann, Buddy and family, so sorry to hear about Dick. Dick was a good friend and a good ball player. We had the same Hanley family for first cousins so we always called each other second cousins. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Greg Hanley
Greg Hanley
July 22, 2016
My sincere sympathies to Richards family. I have known Richard since before kindergarten and he was always a friendly outgoing person with a great sense of humor.
John Trott & family
July 21, 2016
So sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Mr. Kidder, and always enjoyed his sense of humor.
Missy Dirksen
July 19, 2016
My sincere condolences to the Kidder family and especially to my classmate,Betty! So sorry for your loss. My prayers for you and thoughts of you are uppermost in my mind at this sad time. God bless.....
Brian Spaulding
July 19, 2016
Thank you for your service.
July 19, 2016
My condolences as your family grieves the loss of such a great example of a man. Thinking of Kristina, Alex, Josh & Dennis. Take all the time you need to get to peace with it.
Victor Tedford
Victor Tedford
July 18, 2016
Hi Kris and family
Gardiner is a special place. Its special because people like Buddy Kidder lived and worked here. His contributions to the community and his service to his country, his community and his family, are beyond what we would expect from todays generation. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Jeff Temple
July 18, 2016
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. His smile, caring heart and energy will be missed.
Meylon & Lois Kenney
July 17, 2016
Betty, our deepest sympathy.
Ron and Londa Dennett
July 16, 2016
Rick and Kathy my sympathies. I enjoyed your dad Very Much Ike Dyer
July 16, 2016
Deepest sympathies to his family. His family was his world and he certainly was a great educator who helped many, many students. Worked with him for over 12 years - he will be sadly missed.
Vicki Raymond
July 16, 2016
Mr. Kidder had a big influence on me growing up. He was principal at all 3 three schools that I attended in Augusta. He was a good man and a great educator and will be missed.
Jeff Martin
July 16, 2016
My prayers and thoughts are with the family at the passing of Dick. I went to school with him at Gardiner High School. Joyce James Nelson.
July 16, 2016
So sorry for your loss. He was a very respected educator. Thinking of your family at this time. Elaine Hanlon Beaudoin
July 16, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Shirley Hanley
July 16, 2016
How sorry I am to hear of Mr. Kidder's passing. When I attended CATC he was always such a kind and caring Administrator, Mrs. Kidder and family, my deepest sympathies, Sue Allarie-Dowling
July 16, 2016
My deep sympathy to Betty and family.
Graham Nye
July 16, 2016
I'm sad of the passing of Dick. He was my favorite teacher and friend. RIP Dick. Ron Trombley, Port St. Lucie, Fl.
July 16, 2016
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