Richard A. Loranger

Richard A. Loranger obituary, Brunswick, ME

Richard A. Loranger

Richard Loranger Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Stetson’s Funeral Home - Brunswick on Jul. 10, 2024.

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Richard Alan Loranger, known affectionately as Rick, passed away on July 1, 2024, at the age of 72 in Brunswick, Maine. Born on June 29, 1952, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Rick was a devoted husband, beloved family member, and a respected chemist. He bravely fought a 13-month battle with a rare, difficult-to-treat cancer. For many months he travelled to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to be treated with a new cancer drug being evaluated in a clinical trial. The family is grateful for the exceptional care he received at Dana Farber. Over the past year his job was to fight this cancer as bravely and tenaciously as he pursued other important tasks in his life.
Rick's academic journey was distinguished. He graduated from Hamburg Area High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Albright College and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Georgetown University. His professional career was marked by his long-term commitment to the US Environmental Protection Agency, where he worked from 1980 until his retirement in 2012. Rick last worked as a Senior Scientist in the Office of Pesticide Programs. Throughout his career, Rick was dedicated to environmental protection. He was awarded EPA's highest award, the Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, a peer nominated Special Achievement award of which he was most proud, as well as numerous other awards.
Beyond his professional life, Rick was passionate about gardening, photography, traveling, listening to classical and rock music, and doting on his beloved bearded collies. He enjoyed staying active through hiking and walking. He was a certified Master Gardener while living in Northern Virgina and he and Judy were members of the National Capital Bearded Collie Club. In 2021, Rick and Judy moved from Northern Virginia to Maine to be closer to family and enjoy life in beautiful Mid Coast Maine.
Rick was a compassionate, introverted, analytical, animal, plant, ice cream, and chocolate loving scientist. Many people have described him as a gentleman. He will be so greatly missed.
Rick is survived by his loving spouse, Judith Loranger, and cousins Robin and Craig Henry in Pennsylvania and his wife's cousins, Martha, Peggy, and Mary Beth in Maine. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Loranger and Jean Henry Loranger. His dog Cassidy already misses him.
Contributions in memory of Rick can be made to:
1.Union of Concerned Scientists 2 Brattle Square Cambridge, MA 02138
2. Gifts may be made to support Dr. Merriam's Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. Please write checks payable to Dana-Farber and include Dr. Merriam's Research Fund in the memo section. You may also make a gift online at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/RichardLoranger
The Stetson Funeral Home in Brunswick, Maine, is assisting the Loranger family during this difficult time. Rick's commitment to his family, his career, and his hobbies left a lasting impact on everyone he knew. His legacy will be cherished and remembered by all.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Richard Loranger's Guest Book

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July 23, 2024

C. Thomas Work posted to the memorial.

July 23, 2024

Karen vonFrisch posted to the memorial.

July 10, 2024

Stetson’s Funeral Home - Brunswick posted an obituary.

2 Entries

C. Thomas Work

July 23, 2024

Rick and I were pals from elementary through high school in Hamburg. Neck-and-neck in our academic pursuits, each of us wished the best for the other, and Rick was always a gentleman, a good friend, and a lot of fun. One experience tensed our relationship, and that was a senior year golf outing for which I had one lesson in the sport, from my father, and was in a foursome with Rick, who was a skillful, careful and avid golfer. Rick made me promise afterwards that I would never golf again, and I stuck by that promise! All in the best of fun. My condolences to Judy and the extended family. Science may have lost a good measure with Rick's passing, but humankind lost much, much more.

Karen vonFrisch

July 23, 2024

Rick grew up on Third St. in Hamburg, PA. I lived 8 doors up the street from him. One thing all the neighborhood kids did every time we had a big snow storm, was ride our sleds down Island street, with parents guarding 3rd street so we could cross over it heading to the park. We all had a great time. I was also a classmate of Ricks. Karen (Levan) vonFrisch, one of the Third Street gang.

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Stetson’s Funeral Home - Brunswick

12 Federal St, Brunswick, ME 04011

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Sign Richard Loranger's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

July 23, 2024

C. Thomas Work posted to the memorial.

July 23, 2024

Karen vonFrisch posted to the memorial.

July 10, 2024

Stetson’s Funeral Home - Brunswick posted an obituary.